Hue Ao Dai Week 2026 highlights heritage connections
VOV.VN - Hue Ao Dai Week 2026 will take place from July 3-10 with a string of cultural, artistic and community activities aimed at honouring the values of Vietnam’s Ao Dai and further affirming the central Vietnamese city of Hue as the country’s “Capital of Ao Dai”.
The event coincides with the death anniversary of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat (the 20th day of the fifth lunar month), who played a major role in shaping Vietnam’s traditional national attire. The occasion serves as a tribute to earlier generations while recounting the development of the Ao Dai as a symbol of Vietnamese culture over centuries.
Under the theme “Connecting Heritage, Community and Creativity”, the week-long programme will bring cultural activities to venues ranging from Hue’s city centre along the Huong River to rural areas, ancient villages and heritage sites.
The programme will open on July 3 with “Ao Dai Connecting Tourism and Heritage” at Hue’s Quoc Tu Giam (the Imperial Academy), followed by an Ao Dai festival night titled “Huong River Weaving the Imperial Elegance” along the Huong River.
On July 4, the anniversary of Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat’s passing, an incense-offering ceremony will be held at Truong Thai Tomb, followed by the “Viet Phong Hoi Tu - Bach Hoa Bo Hanh” procession in the Hue Imperial City, bringing together traditional Vietnamese costumes from different historical periods. Hundreds of participants in traditional attire will take part, recreating the evolution of Vietnamese dress through the centuries.
Throughout the week, a wide range of community activities will be organised, including the “Ao Dai Through the Streets” cycling event for environmental awareness, “Hue Ao Dai - Thanh Tra Fragrance and Colours”, Ao Dai parades, thematic exhibitions, interactive spaces and programmes for pupils and students.
Highlights include the “Stories of Hue Ao Dai” exhibition space, the “School Ao Dai” exhibition, the “Beauty of Hue Ao Dai” programme, demonstrations of Hue Ao Dai tailoring and wearing traditions, and the “Ao Dai Dance” performance along the Huong River.
Ao Dai-themed programmes will also extend to rural communities through activities such as “Traditional Ao Dai - Echoes of an Ancient Village” in Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, “Graceful Ao Dai and A Luoi Dèng Weaving”, photo contests, school Ao Dai performances and other events across the city.
According to Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Hue Department of Culture and Sports, Hue Ao Dai Week is not only a celebration of beauty and fashion but also a space for communities to participate in preserving, practising and promoting cultural values associated with Vietnam’s traditional attire.
He said organisers aim to make the event a truly community-based festival, with local people playing a central role in its activities. He expressed hope that this year’s programme will help make Hue Ao Dai a widely embraced cultural activity across the community.
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