The delegates performed the button-pressing ceremony to officially launch the festival.

This event is part of a series of activities celebrating the 71st anniversary of Hai Phong Liberation Day, the 136th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, in response to the Red Flamboyant Festival – Hai Phong 2026, and to celebrate the success of the 11th National Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, while looking toward the 14th National Women’s Congress.

Attending the opening ceremony were central-level representatives including Dr. Dang Thi Bich Lien, former Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Chairwoman of the Vietnam Ao Dai Cultural Association; Ms. Pham Thi Huong Giang, Member of the Presidium of the Central Vietnam Women’s Union; and Mr. Dao Xuan Tinh, Vice Chairman of the World Records Association.

Representing city leadership were Mr. Le Van Hieu, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Council; Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the City Party Committee and Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hai Phong; Ms. Nguyen Thi Viet Nga, Deputy Head of the Hai Phong National Assembly Delegation; along with leaders of departments, agencies, organizations, fashion designers, artists, Ao Dai ambassadors, and a large number of women members and residents of the city.

Mr. Le Van Hieu and the Chairwoman of the Hai Phong Women’s Union presented flowers and commemorative medals to sponsors and the program production team.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Tuan presented commemorative medals to the ambassadors of the festival.

In her opening speech, Ms. Tran Thu Huong, Member of the City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Hai Phong Women’s Union, emphasized the symbolic role of the Ao Dai in the flow of national culture. For generations, the Ao Dai has not only been traditional attire but also a cultural essence embodying the soul, character, and identity of Vietnamese women. Over time, the Ao Dai has retained its elegant and graceful beauty, blending tradition with modernity, reflecting the image of Vietnamese women as confident, resilient, compassionate, and constantly reaching further.

She affirmed that the Ao Dai is not only a cultural heritage but also a bridge connecting the past and present, tradition and creativity, national identity and international integration. Through successive seasons, the Hai Phong Ao Dai Festival has gradually become a distinctive cultural and artistic event representing the women of the city.

In 2026, under the theme “Hai Phong Women – Heritage and Connection,” the festival continues with many outstanding activities. As part of the program, the organizing committee held the official opening ceremony and honored designers, sponsors, and the production team. Ambassadors of the 2026 Ao Dai Festival, including People’s Artist Lan Huong, Meritorious Artist Do Ky, and beauty queens and runners-up, were also presented with flowers and commemorative medals.

The artistic program featured three main parts, including international cultural exchanges with traditional costume performances from Laos and South Korea by students from Hai Phong University, the Kocun organization, and students from To Hieu Secondary School.

The Ao Dai collections presented included:

“Region of Memories” by designer Cao Thu Van
“Graceful Vietnamese Silhouette – Touching Heritage” by designer Xuan Thao
“Co Linh” by designer Chau Loan
“Whispers of Lotus” and “Summer Fragrance” by designer Cao Thu Van

The festival also featured special musical performances with songs such as “Vietnam Proudly Moving Toward the Future,” “Hello Vietnam,” “Hai Phong Enters a New Era,” “Lotus,” “Vietnamese Ao Dai,” and “Vietnamese Women.”

The festival is not only a fashion event but also a testament to the spirit of solidarity and aspirations of the city’s women. By honoring heritage, the Hai Phong Women’s Union has created a meaningful cultural gathering place, contributing to preserving national identity and promoting the city’s development in a new era.