In the days leading up to the Mid-Autumn Festival, the children in my neighborhood have been joyfully practicing. Calling it a “unicorn dance troupe” sounds grand, but in fact, it’s just about a dozen kids from grades 1 to 7. One contributes an old drum, another brings a unicorn head or a Mr. Earth mask, while some dig through closets for their mothers’ Ao dai, … all gathered together to form an eager, lively team of little unicorn dancers.

The Community Ao dai Week, which kicked off the Summer Festival 2025 in early June, has drawn a large number of designers, models, artists, cultural experts, and researchers, etc. Each participant acts as an ambassador, promoting Hue Ao dai in particular and the traditional Ao dai Vietnam in general.

Inspired by the phoenix (“Linh phung” in Vietnamese), a symbol of eternal grace and happiness, the 12 ao dai collections showcased at the recent “Linh phung” Ao dai Festival have left deep impressions and emotions in the hearts of the public and audience.

In the poetic space of the Song Huong Theater, the "Linh Phung" (Phoenix) Ao dai festival night, part of the autumn festival of the Hue Festival 2024, left a beautiful impression on the locals and tourists.

For Hue Ancient Capital, Ao dai is a unique cultural heritage that has been formed, developed, and existed for over 300 years. In recent years, Thua Thien Hue has launched and promoted the revival of the traditional ao dai (including both male and female versions) in connection with the implementation of “Hue - The capital of Ao dai Vietnam” project. Ao dai has been integrated into daily life, cultural festivals, sports events, and flag-raising ceremonies in offices.

On the morning of July 7, Hue Monuments Conservation Center coordinated with the Provincial Department of Culture and Sports to organize an incense and flower offering ceremony, and a procession of gratitude to the ancestor on the occasion of the death anniversary of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, the person who laid the foundation of Ao dai Vietnam. This is one of the activities responding to Hue Festival 2023, and within the framework of the Autumn Festival’s activities.