Vietnamese fashion takes center stage at the Ao Dai Fashion Week (ADFW) London this September!
Aoi dai is Vietnam’s national dress that has evolved with the country through the years. Its origins date back to 1744 when Vietnam was still divided into two territories. To help distinguish people from these territories, Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat of Inner Land asked his subjects to wear a front-buttoned gown with trousers; a five-part dress (áo ngũ thân), inspiring the modern day aoi dai.
The garment is made of the finest silk with intricate details and colors that rank the nobles of the land. By the 1930s, Vietnamese artist Le Mur Nguyen Cat Tuong simplified the ao dai to a two-part dress instead, which is what persists as the modern version of the clothing today.
With the goal of telling stories of national pride, refinement, and compassion into every thread, the ADFW stands as a powerful affirmation of Vietnamese beauty . The event was officially launched this month with the theme “Where Vietnam Connects the World.”
This large-scale cultural diplomacy effort brings together designers, artisans, artists, media professionals, and the Vietnamese community in Europe to bring Vietnamese heritage beyond borders. Aside from the anticipated fashion showcase, the event will also feature an aoi dai parade at famous and historically significant landmarks in London, an exhibition of Vietnam’s traditional craftsmanship, and a Vietnamese culinary experience in the heart of London.
“Bringing the áo dài to the international stage is our way of telling the story of Việt Nam through the language of art and culture,” said Nguyen Viet Trieu, President of the Union of Vietnamese Women in Europe.
Witness the beauty of Vietnamese culture at Ao Dai Fashion Week London 2026 this September 19 to 21