Throughout the many decades he has lived and worked both in Vietnam and abroad, Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Tam has always held a special affection for Vietnam’s traditional Ao-dai. To him, Ao-dai is not merely a beautiful garment, but one that embodies the history, identity and self-respect of a nation. On the occasion of his return to Hue and his visit to Quang Trung Primary School - where he sponsored the tailoring of five-panel Ao-dai for nearly 1.500 students, Prof. Dr. Bui Duy Tam spoke with Hue Today Weekly about his aspiration to revive Vietnam’s national dress.

Dressed in the traditional ao-dai, Professor Bui Duy Tam spoke about his passion for the ao-dai, and how he has preserved and spread this traditional cultural value during his years living far from home.

On the morning of July 11, Phong Dinh Ward People’s Committee officially launched the Hue Community Ao Dai Week 2026 at Phuoc Tich Ancient Village under the theme “Traditional Ao Dai - Old Scent of the Ancient Village”.

Within the framework of the community Ao Dai Week - “Hue in Autumn” Festival 2026, on the morning of July 4, the Department of Culture and Sports, in collaboration with Hue Monuments Conservation Center, organized a ceremony to offer incense and flowers in commemoration of Martial Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, and holding a procession of gratitude to Martial Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat, and Emperor Minh Mang.

Well-known Vietnamese entertainers Truong Giang, Le Duong Bao Lam, Ngo Kien Huy, Kieu Minh Tuan, Huy Khanh, and others, dressed in traditional ao dai, joined the ‘Bach Hoa Bo Hanh’ (Hundred Flowers Parade) to promote Vietnam's traditional attire and the cultural heritage of Hue.

On the morning of July 3, hundreds of people wearing the traditional ao-dai took part in the “Ao Dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage” event, held at the forecourt of Quoc Tu Giam historical site of Hue Imperial Citadel (on 23 Thang 8 St., Phu Xuan Ward).

Hue Ao Dai Week 2026, featuring a series of cultural, artistic, and community activities to honor the values of Vietnam’s traditional Ao-dai and reaffirm the brand of “Hue - The Capital of Ao Dai”, will take place from July 3 to 10.

Amid the flow of visitors experiencing the Ancient Capital, the image of Mr. Nguyen Don Long - a male tour guide (born in 1986) wearing the traditional ao dai - quietly tells the story of love for culture, spreading traditional values in a distinct Hue way.

Amid the rhythm of modern life, as fashion becomes increasingly diverse and is constantly changing, the traditional ao-dai continues to remain a lasting presence in the lives of women in the former imperial capital. In Hue, the graceful image of women’s association members wearing Ao-dai is not only a symbol of beauty but also a way of preserving and spreading the traditional cultural values of their homeland.

Young designer Linda Hoang (born Hoang Kim Ngoc Uyen Nhi in 1992 in Hue City) is transforming the traditional ao dai by bringing dragon-horse patterns and royal court motifs to linen garments and modern fashion. ​