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From the beginning of the twelfth lunar month, studios and photo shoot locations have been bustling with young people coming to take Tet (Lunar New Year) photos. Standing out amidst the streets are the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) in a variety of vibrant colors, from red, yellow, and green to patterns of apricot and peach blossoms, or modern, stylized designs. Young people choose hairstyles and makeup that suit them, creating an elegant, graceful, and vibrant look.
These days, on the central streets of Ho Chi Minh City, the sight of young men and women wearing elegant ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) fills passersby with the excitement of the approaching Tet holiday.
Besides familiar photo spots like Notre Dame Cathedral, Saigon Central Post Office, and Ben Thanh Market, young people are also seeking out vintage cafes, old apartment buildings, or old town areas to capture Tet moments.
The area in front of Ben Thanh Market is always crowded with people taking Tet photos these days.
More than just an outfit, the ao dai is a symbol of Vietnamese culture and national pride. The fact that young people in Saigon are dressing up in ao dai for Tet photos not only reflects their desire to capture beautiful moments but also serves as a way to preserve and promote the nation's fine traditional values.
Minh Châu, a young woman taking photos in an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) at the Independence Palace, shared: "I really enjoy wearing the ao dai, especially during Tet (Vietnamese New Year). I want to capture the most beautiful moments of my youth in this traditional dress and also contribute to spreading the beautiful image of the Vietnamese ao dai to everyone."
Independence Palace is also a favorite spot for many young people.
Walking around the city center, the sight of young people today comfortably wearing flowing ao dai dresses instead of modern skirts and dresses makes everyone who passes by turn their heads.
Hoai An (23 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) said: "These days, walking around District 1, you'll see ao dai everywhere. Personally, I feel very happy and proud. As a young person, I have a great passion for traditional values. So when I see young people wearing ao dai, especially during Tet (Lunar New Year), my heart is filled with an indescribable joy."
The flowing áo dài dress makes everyone who passes by stop and stare.
It can be said that the image of young people in Saigon dressed in traditional ao dai for Tet photos has contributed to creating a distinctive cultural beauty of the city. It is a beauty of youthfulness and dynamism, but also one that is elegant, graceful, and deeply rooted in national identity.
Besides traditional ao dai dresses, young people are also creative with modern, stylized ao dai designs, expressing their own individuality.
A stroll around the area will lead you to encounter many "muses".
It's not just women who show their love for the Vietnamese ao dai; men also express their affection for it.
Unlike most people, Gia Han (24 years old, Hai Phong) expressed: "I chose an old apartment building to take my Tet photos this year because I quite like the simplicity and vintage feel of such places. Moreover, shooting in an old apartment building will be quite private; you don't need to queue or wait for anyone, and there aren't many people, so it will suit those who are introverted and shy around crowds."
Older apartments are also a popular choice for many young people this year.
The image of flowing ao dai dresses blending with the vibrant colors of spring creates a beautiful scene, imbued with the essence of traditional Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). This is a cultural beauty that needs to be preserved and promoted, contributing to making the Vietnamese Tet even more rich in national identity.
