The girl in the gentle áo dài dress

High collar, long sleeves, two flaps below the knees.

Wide soft trousers gracefully touching the heels,

The traditional dress of Vietnamese women.

Artists of the ages have crafted,

Blending East and West into a contemporary style.

Raglan sleeve to emphasize the softness of shoulders,

Inside seams for adding curves,

Hugging the body, enhancing femininity,

Modest yet sensuous.

High-heeled shoes elevate the steps with elegance,

Creating a distinct cultural identity.

Beautiful áo dài is present everywhere,

From urban streets to rural hamlets.

No distinction of low or high status,

But are familiar and dear to every family.

Women in the country wear it confidently,

Overseas Vietnamese women wear them in respect of their roots.

Comes In various styles on festive days,

Áo dài is always charming.

Accompanying men in traditional attire,

Or Western clothes on significant days.

Vietnamese beauty queens in charming áo dài,

Leaving an impression on friends near and far.

When welcoming guests to the homeland,

The áo dài is proudly worn. 

The beautiful bride in her wedding áo dài,

The Christian women going to watch church ceremonies,

The female Buddhists attending temple visits,

They all wearing the elegant áo dài  to show respect.

Little children adorned in áo dài,

With their familes from all walks of Life. 

Schoolgirls’s áo dài swaying in the wind all over the school grounds,  

teachers in floral áo dài facing their students. 

Uniform colors are set by relevant institutions.

Airline attendants in distinctive blue,

Dreamy purple áo dài with conical hats,

Competing with each other in elegance and beauty. 

I love the dress dearly from the bottom of my heart.

Áo dài adorning the figures of my compatriots.

Whether nearby or far away,

Those who departed still leave their hearts behind. 

Hands held tightly as women friends walking together, 

The soul of the homeland manifest in the áo dài dress.

by Kim Phụng

English translation by Vuong Thanh, 12.2023