Language/Vietnamese/Culture/Ao-Dai

Vietnamese Culture → Traditional Clothing → Ao Dai

As a Vietnamese language teacher with 20 years of experience, I believe that learning about the culture of the language you are studying is just as important as mastering the grammar and vocabulary. In this lesson, we will explore the history and significance of the Ao Dai, the traditional dress of Vietnam.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Vietnamese Values & Bánh chưng ngày.

What is Ao Dai?

Ao Dai (pronounced "ow yai") is a Vietnamese word that means "long dress". It is a form-fitting, full-length dress with a high collar and long sleeves. Ao Dai is worn by both men and women and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. However, the most common colors for Ao Dai are white, black, red, pink, yellow, and blue.

Ao Dai is traditionally worn for special occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and ceremonies. It is also worn as a school uniform by high school students in Vietnam. Nowadays, many Vietnamese people wear Ao Dai as formal attire or for national events and holidays.

History of Ao Dai

Ao Dai has a long and interesting history that dates back to the 18th century. During this time, the Vietnamese dress consisted of two separate parts: a flowing tunic (ao) and loose pants (doi). This outfit was loose-fitting and comfortable, which made it easier for people to move around and work.

However, in 1744, the Emperor of Vietnam, Le Duy Nhut, ordered his officials to wear a more formal Vietnamese dress that would reflect the dignity of his court. The new dress was a tight-fitting tunic that flared out at the hips and was worn with long pants. This style became known as Ao Dai and was adopted by the Vietnamese upper classes as formal attire.

In the 1920s, the modern Ao Dai was developed by a group of Vietnamese intellectuals who were inspired by Western fashion. They combined the tunic and pants into one piece of clothing and made it more form-fitting for women. Since then, Ao Dai has undergone many changes and variations, but it remains an important and iconic symbol of Vietnamese culture.

Significance of Ao Dai

Ao Dai is not just a piece of clothing; it is a symbol of Vietnamese identity, tradition, and beauty. The dress embodies the grace and elegance of Vietnamese women and represents the country's rich cultural heritage.

Ao Dai is also a symbol of national pride and unity. In the past, the dress was worn by people from all walks of life, from peasants to nobles. Today, it is worn by Vietnamese people all over the world, as a way of showing their love and respect for their culture and heritage.

Vocabulary

Here are some common Vietnamese words and phrases related to Ao Dai:

Vietnamese	Pronunciation	English
Áo Dài	ow yai	Long dress
Đầm dài	dam yai	Long dress (for women)
Áo bà ba	ow ba ba	Traditional shirt made of silk or cotton worn with loose pants
Áo phông	ow fong	T-shirt
Áo sơ mi	ow suh mee	Shirt
Quần	kwahn	Pants
Đôi giày	doi zaay	Shoes

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have learned about the history and significance of the Ao Dai in Vietnamese culture. Ao Dai is not only a beautiful and elegant piece of clothing but also a symbol of Vietnamese identity, tradition, and national pride. If you ever have the opportunity to visit Vietnam or attend a Vietnamese event, be sure to admire the beauty and grace of the Ao Dai.

Sources

• Ao Dai
• Vietnamese Traditional Clothing

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Tet & Social Etiquette.

Table of Contents - Vietnamese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Vietnamese Culture Basics

• Vietnamese Values
• Social Etiquette
• Cuisine and Dining

  ---

Numbers and Counting

• Counting 1-10
• Counting 11-20
• Counting 21 and Beyond

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns and Gender
• Pronouns and Personal Pronouns
• Possessive Pronouns

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Holidays and Celebrations

• Tet
• Mid-Autumn Festival

  ---

Verbs and Verb Tenses

• Present Tense Verbs
• Past Tense Verbs
• Future Tense Verbs
• Modal Verbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Vietnamese Food
• Drinks and Beverages
• Food Ordering

  ---

Arts and Entertainment

• Traditional Music
• Movie and Television

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives
• Adverbs

  ---

Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Giving Directions

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Traditional Clothing

• Ao Dai
• Other Traditional Clothing

Other Lessons

• Traditional Music
• Other Traditional Clothing
• Names
• Mid Autumn Festival
• Bánh chưng ngày
• Movie and Television
• Cuisine and Dining
• Bánh chưng ngày
• Social Etiquette