Under the theme “Golden Threads – Weaving Aspirations”, this year’s festival will be held at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the Export Showroom at 92–96 Nguyen Hue (Sai Gon Ward), stations along Metro Line No. 1, as well as historical and cultural sites, tourist attractions, hotels, and iconic landmarks across the newly expanded Ho Chi Minh City.
In 2026, the festival is expected to help stimulate tourism demand, increase visitor spending, extend length of stay, and further enhance Ho Chi Minh City’s destination brand on the global tourism map.
The festival has been scaled up with activities stretching from the city centre to various districts, featuring highlights such as the opening ceremony; an ao dai art programme; a programme marking the 1,986th anniversary of the Hai Ba Trung Uprising (40–2026) and the 116th anniversary of International Women’s Day (March 8); a mass folk dance performance in Vietnamese ao dai; an ao dai parade; the Grand Final of the Ho Chi Minh City Charming Ao Dai Contest; a children’s ao dai design contest; and an online beautiful ao dai photo contest.
In addition, the festival will host an ao dai seminar involving Consuls General, spouses of Consuls General, and international students studying in Ho Chi Minh City, themed tours highlighting ao dai values throughout March; along with the “Loving Ao Dai” programme.
A series of “Accompanying Vietnamese Ao Dai” activities has been running from early February through the end of March, implemented citywide to integrate the ao dai more deeply into daily life.
The city has also launched a peak week encouraging residents to wear ao dai from March 2 to March 8; mobilised tailors and fabric and accessory businesses to offer promotional programmes; and introduced free or discounted admission policies for visitors wearing ao dai.
Notably, during the peak period of the 2026 Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival, the 11th Viet Nam–Japan Festival will take place on March 7–8, 2026, at 23/9 Park under the theme “Holding Hands Together – Children, Earth, Future.”
Within this framework, the organising committee launched an ao dai design contest for students from technical colleges specialising in fashion, professional schools, and universities in Japan. Among many creative and impressive entries, the “Lantern” design by Momomi Miyazaki won First Prize.
The participation of young Japanese designers creating on the foundation of the Vietnamese ao dai not only helps to strengthen friendship between the two countries, but also vividly reflects the cultural and tourism exchanges between these two nations with rich identity.
This also demonstrates the growing international appeal of the Vietnamese ao dai, particularly in Japan.
The festival not only honours the aesthetic value and cultural depth of the Vietnamese ao dai but is also positioned as a signature festival tourism product during the March peak season, contributing to both domestic and international tourism stimulus, increasing visitor spending, extending length of stay, and enhancing Ho Chi Minh City’s brand position on the global tourism map.
The Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival is an annual cultural event aimed at honouring the beauty of the Vietnamese ao dai, affirming its traditional values, and spreading appreciation for ao dai in modern life.
The event attracts thousands of participants and continues to affirm its status as one of the city’s most prominent cultural activities. It is jointly organised by the Department of Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City Women’s Union in coordination with relevant agencies.
