History of the ao dai costumes in Vietnam

• ›  Tuy Loan Communal House in Danang city, Vietnam
• ›  Linh Ung Pagoda (Chùa Linh ứng) in Danang city

The Ao Dai is a Vietnamese traditional outfit, now most commonly worn by women.

At the present, nobody can know the original form of the ao dai. In the past, the graceful two-flapped ao dai in the breeze appeared on the surfaces of the historical Ngoc Lu kettledrum carved a few thousand years ago.

People said that in the early 18th century, skirts of women of King Nationality and today’s ethnic minority women are likely in the same form. In 1744, Lord Vu Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty had responsibility for revise the dress of Vietnamese ladies. Firstly, he designed the ao dai with a combination of Muong patterns and Chinese versions. After that, the ao tu than (four – flapped dress) was selected as the official national dress for Vietnamese ladies.

Ao dai is a two-piece garment made of fabric, full-length dress worn over loose silk trousers reaching all the way to the ground. It accounts for the fit that creates such a flattering look. The dress splits into a front and back panel from the waist down, it is convenient to move in. At that time, Ao dai had a wider and simpler form than that today.

Nowadays, the length of the Ao dai is shortened falling just below the knee. The dressed are designed with different colors and patterns. The color is indicative of the wearer’s age and status. For example, white Long Dress usually make us asociate with schoolgirls because white color symbolizes their purity.

Men also dress a similar outfit called “Ao Dai” which is shorter, just at knee length, and more loose-fitting. However, men rarely wear the Long Dress except for ceremonial occasions such as wedding of funerals.

Nowadays, its popularity is also spreading well beyond Vietnam’s borders. There are a wide vareity of designs, materials, and colors. Designers have created more exquisite and elegant dress including velvet, silk, satin, embroidered, painted or printed with flowers pattern. So, many office workers and hotel staff choose it as their standard outfit.In addition, the Ao dai is also dressed mostly in formal occasions.

According to the whole Vietnamese people, the Ao Dai always has a great meaning as their grace and beauty. After a long time in Vietnam’s history, all of Vietnamese people still keep it in the hearts as a country’s symbol. It is more and more perfected, in addition, it not only overcomes all ages and time in our country but also spread to the whole world. The Ao Dai always is the first choice for Vietnamese people in special occasions whether they are rich or poor, old or young.

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