Hanoi (VNA) –The Hanoi Tourism Ao dai Festival 2023 officially kicked off in the pedestrian area of Hoan Kiem Lake onOctober 27 night, promoting the elegant beauty of the ao dai (Vietnamesetraditional long dress) and Hanoi's tourism.

The opening ceremony hadthe theme "Exploring the beauty of Hanoi." Featuring songs, dances,and performances that reflect the cultural and spiritual values of Hanoi andVietnam as a whole, the ceremony conveyed a message of love for the aodai, as well as the responsibility to preserve and promote thetraditional cultural values of the nation.

Notably, festival-goerswere treated to a feast of vibrant colours, courtesy of collections of ao daiin various colours and styles tailored by renowned designers and fashion brandsfrom around the country, such as Viet Bao, Quang Hoa, Cao Minh Tien, Ngoc Han,OZ Design House, and La Sen Vu.

Speaking at the openingceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Thu Ha affirmedthat the Hanoi Tourism Ao dai Festival will be held annually.

"This culturalevent aims to preserve and develop traditional cultural values, to explore andhonour the distinct beauty of Vietnamese culture through the traditional aodai, which is a symbol of Vietnamese women. It serves as a wellspring ofcreative inspiration for the younger generation, nurturing a sense of culturalheritage, ethnic pride, and love for the homeland.

"As a unique andalluring form of tourism, the Hanoi Tourism Ao dai Festival sets a newdirection and contributes to positioning Vietnam's tourism, particularly Hanoi,as a beloved and top destination for domestic and international travelers,establishing itself as a 'Top World Tourism Destination City,'" she added.

In addition to the remarkable opening ceremony, a variety ofcultural activities will take place during Hanoi's eagerly anticipated autumnfestival, celebrating the significance and beauty of the traditional dress.

Today, the musical programme "Sac Mau Hanoi" (Colours ofHanoi) will feature songs about Hanoi, combined with artistic lighting andperformances showcasing traditional and modern ao dai designs by variousfashion designers.

The Hanoi Tourism Ao dai Festival 2023 will include exhibitionspaces introducing archived photos, ao dai designs from popular brands acrossthe country, and tourism products.

This year's event's most distinctive feature is the "ao dai street," named "Dao BuocHo Guom" (Strolling around Sword Lake), which will recreate a cultural andhistorical space featuring symbols of the capital's thousand-year history,including models of craft villages, the West Lake lotus, the One Pillar Pagoda,Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and the Quan Chuong Gate.

Notably, over 600 women from various families in Hanoi will wear aodai, while another 100 individuals in traditional five-flap long dresses willparticipate in a grand artistic performance and parade organised by the HanoiCity Women's Union, scheduled for October 28-29.

Additional activities include a seminar on the orientation anddevelopment of ao dai in thecommunity and its connection to tourism, the musical programme "Nhip Pho"(Street Rhythm), ao dai dance performances, and ao dai flashmob dances.

The festival will last until October 29./.