leftcenterrightdel
Dajana Hoxhaj, aged 24, comes from Albania. She loves the Vietnamese traditional lunar New Year (Tet) festival, especially the way members of a family gather together. She is interested in the family’s reunion spirit and warm atmosphere of Tet. “I love the Ao dai. This is a special dress that whoever wears it looks like a royal family member,” she said. For more than two years living in Vietnam, the number of times she has worn the Ao dai is much more than the times when she has worn her traditional dress.
leftcenterrightdel
This is the photo of an Italian, Gianluca Ardiani, aged 41, who is visiting Kim Lien Pagoda in Hanoi this year. That is the first time he has worn the Ao dai and he feels like a prince coming from the past. “I find it funny when people in the streets stare at me, a Westerner wearing the Ao dai. They might feel strange. Tet is a special occasion. After a period of time living in Vietnam, I now understand why people often say “happy like Tet”,” Ardiani said.
leftcenterrightdel
This is the photo of Shayne Brownlie, aged 32, from South Africa at Tra Que vegetable village in Hoi An city. She loves the Ao dai and is proud of wearing it. She considers the Ao dai a symbol of femininity. She shared, “Tet is my most favorite time of the year. It is wonderful to see bustling markets, shops decorated with red and yellow colors, and flowers on both sides of the road."
leftcenterrightdel
Twenty-four-year-old German visitor Anna Wilters is posing for a photo with lotuses near West Lake, Hanoi. For her, the Ao dai is interesting because of its design with a long dress coupled with trousers. “With the Ao dai, you can freely combine many different styles of shirts and trousers. I think it is one of the most unique traditional costumes in the world that the Vietnamese people should be proud of," Anna said.
leftcenterrightdel
Photographing with the Ao dai at the New Year becomes a habit of Ronette Lasin, a Philippine aged 25 who has been living in Ho Chi Minh City for four years. She often has a new Ao dai when Tet nears. She shares that she can use the Ao dai for Tet or other special celebrations. She enjoys wearing the Ao dai so much because this Vietnamese dress feels very feminine and elegant. “I want to wear it and share to everyone I know from different parts of the world that this is how a traditional Vietnamese costume looks like,” she said.
leftcenterrightdel
Harry Hodge, in a white Ao dai, comes from Canada. He is living in Ho Chi  Minh City. His wife is a Vietnamese and his family members often wear the Ao dai and take photos when Tet comes. They often have new sets of Ao dai for Tet. Harry Hodge loves welcoming Tet in Ho Chi Minh City because at that time streets and houses are decorated brilliantly.
leftcenterrightdel
Chen Yutung, a 28-years-old Taiwanese tourist, is posing for a photo at Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho city. When she first went to the Ao dai rental shop, she was surprised at different styles of Ao dai for teachers, students, and brides. "I found wearing silk Ao dai very comfortably, not as hot as I thought. Many friends complimented me on wearing the Ao dai, saying that I look like a teacher," Chen said.

Source: Vnexpress

Translated by Mai Huong