Vietnamese traditional dresses - Ao dai in Vietnamese life

To the Vietnamese people, Ao Dai has always been synonymous with grace, and beauty. To the Vietnamese people, rich or poor, the Ao Dai is still the dress of choice on social occasion and enjoys a preference on special occasions as well.
In Vietnam, the pure white Ao Dai, symbolizing the purity, are the uniform for female students in some middle schools, most high schools and some universities. Moreover, the Ao Dai is the first choice of teachers when they go to school. They ride their bicycle to go to school and come back home. Many companies require their female staff to be dressed in the Ao Dai. Flight attendants wear blue or red Ao Dai; receptionists or women working in restaurants, hotels, and banks have their uniform whose colors depend on each place. Besides, we wear Ao Dai in New Year or festivals to go to pagodas or churches, and in wedding.
In wedding, groom and bride wear Ao Dai. Bride’s Ao Dai (royal Ao Dai) is designed differently from other styles. “This Ao Dai is made of brocaded, woven silk. It is worn under a long cardigan-like robe. The robe is open from the collar down and made of the same material and with a similar pattern as the dress. With the royal Ao Dai, the royal ladies often wore a khan dong vanh, a fabric crown-like accessory made of starched brocaded woven silk. It is worn on the head and looks rather like a wide headband. This crown is also called queen's kerchief or queen's scarf." This style of the royal ladies has become the traditional dress for brides during the marriage ceremony, when the bride becomes of the queen of one man's heart.
Our national costume has not only been popularized everywhere in Vietnam, but also been appeared at international events. When we go to any other countries on the world, we always bring our Ao Dai. When the female politicians or businesswomen participate international occasions, or greet foreign visitors, they wear Ao Dai for both their talent and charming look. In luggage of student abroad, we usually have at least traditional dress, Ao Dai. It is said that anywhere Vietnamese women are, Ao Dai is there.
The ao dai is a source of national pride, a symbol of feminine beauty, and a canvas for the ultimate creativity. Many poets and authors have written Vietnamese literatures and poems; many musicians have composed romantic songs; and a number of artists have painted about the beauty of the Ao Dai and the grace and beauty it brings to the wearers. In the fashion field, the Ao Dai is favorite choice of many designers to create. According to designer Minh Hanh, head of Ho Chi Minh city’s Fashion Design Institute, Ao Dai is the own strength in Vietnamese culture and if designers can’t show its own background, they would never success. Not only has the Ao Dai been endless inspiration of Vietnamese artists but also has attracted attention of foreign artists. The Ao Dai leaves a deep impression on foreign visitors to Vietnam. Anthony Grey described the Ao Dai in his novel Saigon as “demure and provocative… women seemed not to walk but to float gently beneath the tamarinds on the evening breeze.”
Throughout the long time in Vietnamese history, the Ao Dai remained unchanged in its symbolism and the image it conjures in the hearts of all Vietnamese. Wearing Ao Dai, I have felt warm in winter and cool in summer. Being Vietnamese girl, I’m prideful and confident when I wear my traditional costume. So, going to anywhere, Ao Dai always has a positive in my luggage. Ao Dai is a national symbol of Vietnam.