Ho Chi Minh City, March 6 -- The 12th Ho Chi Minh City Ao Dai Festival 2026 officially opened on March 6 evening, launching a month-long celebration of Vietnam's iconic traditional dress under the theme "Golden Threads - Weaving Aspirations".

The event is jointly organised by the municipal Department of Tourism and the local chapter of the Vietnam Women's Union, in coordination with relevant partners. It aims to mark several major anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary of the official renaming of Saigon - Gia Dinh to Ho Chi Minh City (July 2, 1976-2026), the 1,986th anniversary of the Hai Ba Trung Uprising, and the 116th anniversary of the International Women's Day (March 8).

This year's festival features 17 key activities throug...