Designer Duc Hung brings ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) to the US for a fashion show.

May 15th was chosen as Ao Dai Day, an idea from Vietnamese Americans living in California and elsewhere in the United States who wished to contribute and share their cultural heritage with the city of San Jose, Orange County, and many other communities across America.

This year's "Ao Dai Festival" is a retelling of the Vietnamese folk tale of Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh, featuring performances of traditional Vietnamese music and ao dai collections from many renowned fashion designers. Participating designers from Vietnam and those residing in the US are also present, each bringing their own unique and distinctive ao dai designs. Everyone is excited and looking forward to the next "Ao Dai Day."

The Vietnamese ao dai is a symbol of Vietnamese culture and aesthetics, and a source of pride for generations of Vietnamese people. Therefore, to celebrate the diversity of American society, the Vietnamese American community organizes a community event called the Ao Dai Festival every two years.

The Vietnamese American community hopes this will be a special day for Californians to share their community's cultural heritage by wearing the Vietnamese ao dai.

California State Senate Resolution 73 affirms the body's unanimous approval of the draft resolution submitted by the three senators, and decides that from May 15, 2016 onwards, May 15th of each year will be designated as Ao Dai Day in California.

Photo: Christine Jide

The Thanh