Published:  08:53 Saturday - December 31, 2011

Ao Dai is traditional costume for both men and women in Vietnam, but it is easier to see a lady in Ao Dai. Over the years, Ao Dai has accompanied with Vietnamese women, brought elegant style to many generations. When arriving any beauty contest, Vietnamese girls always take Ao Dai along because this costume is useful to show off the woman' curves.

There are many people think that Vietnamese Ao Dai has origin from a cheongsam of Chinese women, but the first cheongsam appeared around 1920, and Vietnamese Ao Dai was made from very long ago. This proves that Ao Dai is the culture of Vietnam, belongs to Vietnamese people only. The most unique feature of Ao Dai is the two sawns.

It was not until the reign of King Gia Long (1802-1819), the new four-piece Ao Dai changed to close ranks, this time with a body shirt symbolizing the wearer

A female from a rich family 

 By 1884, when the court ruled Hue franchise in the hands of the French, Western culture was introduced into Vietnam and brought change to the Ao Dai. From here and walk different periods of time, Ao Dai reveals many of the new appearance like today.

Saigon ladies - the most fashion style at that time in Asia

A popular uniform for civil servants, tour guides, hotel and restaurant staff, and high school students, the ao dai is also worn for weddings, religious rituals, and special occasions. 

Commonly seen as symbolizing traditional Vietnamese identity and femininity, the ao dai in fact has a relatively brief history marked by foreign influence.