What is AO DAI?

information thread about the traditional vietnamese dress from a vietnamese person.

First of all an Ao Dai is a VIETNAMESE dress. The words Ao = shirt and Dai = long. Directly translating into "long shirt"! The ao dai was first truly modernized in the 1920s and 1930s when traditional court outfits were inspired by paris fasion, and other hanoi designers!

This dress is often seen in almost every occasion you can think of! It can range from very simple (white school outfits) to very fancy (weddings/events) as shown below!

It is not shocking that the ao dai looks very similar to traditional Chinese clothing. But it is important to realize that the ao dai is NOT the same as the chinese qipao (shown below).
The ao dai is more flowy and always worn with a pants/skirt!!!

The ao dai in the game seems most similar to the casual ao dais that many wear on Tet! (Tet is vietnamese new years! Usually celebrated on the 1st day of spring sometime in Feb)

There are soooo many different variations of the Ao Dai that this thread would be too long!! Here are some examples!

Also, traditionally a red ao dai with gold embroidery is worn for weddings as see below!

Im not too good with threads but if theres any questions youd like answered pls let me know!!

Also there are lots of variations on how long an ao dai is. There is a style where it is short and around knee length! That style is more modern for casual wearing and must again, always be worn with pants! From what I know, theres also designs that can be worn with a long skirt!

To end this id like to emphasize to not generalize asian cultures together. Vietnamese ppl and culture have a very long and sad history and it is so very upsetting to see ppl ignore our culture or lump us in with other cultures.
Do not forget that south east asia is still asia

Although many vietnamese culture and fashion is undeniably inspired and based off other cultures, please know that the vietnamese culture is its own thing.
We are our own culture.
The ao dai is not Chinese or Japanese. Its Vietnamese.

Hopefully that helps ppl understand the history of the ao dai as well as a little of Vietnamese culture!
If theres any questions just lmk

(Also the one in game is not super accurate but i can understand that they tried to simplify the design.)

Also. Wear pants with ao dai

heres a bonus picture of my own ao dai!

Dont be fooled by how tall it makes me look... im 4'11" LOL

OH AND NO ONE ASKED but here's my fav type of Ao Dai!
These ones are lace types with a train that are usually worn for weddings or rly big events! I just rly love them but can never pull off bc...im short. But yeah

Continuing bc someone asked about the head piece! The head piece is called a khang dong! Its more of a traditional piece worn during weddings or big traditional events! It varies in sizes, styles and colors.
But its not commonly worn since its worn only on special events :)

Note: the shorter variations are not traditional! They are more modern types and casual.
The traditional style is long with long sleeves and pants worn under!

ALSO AO DAIS ARE NOT ONLY FOR WOMEN! its also worn by men!!
Theirs is usually more simple and less flowy with a more stiff fabric used!
Typical colors are blue, red, green or black/white!
They also have a headpiece but its much much smaller and much more simple :)

Heres one example of the guys headpiece!
As you can see its alot smaller and flatter while the girls headpiece is bigger and circle like!

** edit bc i realized i had a spelling error
The head piece is spelled khan dong.
Sorry about that!