(aodai and palm-leaf conical hat)

Whoever has visited Vietnam would be impressed by the image of girls dressed in aodai. Conventionally, the aodai is separated into two parts: the fitting dress with high collar which is long and loosen the body; the pair of trousers which is ankle-length. The price to possess an aodai is different from its fabrics and the including accessories. Tailors prefer the fabrics which do not easy to crush like silk and synthetic to ensure the comfortableness for people who wear them. The original version of aodai was stitched up in 1744 when everyone was decreed to dress an ensemble by the king Vu Vuong of the Nguyen Dynasty. While áo dài is the monopoly garment for woman, áo gấm is the one for men.

Similarly, nón lá (palm-leaf conical hat) which is stitched from palm leaves and Moc’s or bamboo’s bark also symbolizes for Vietnamese custom. It represents the hard-working but pleasant life of people from paddy field to fishing field. Tourists can experience the process of making nón lá in Chuong village which locates 30km south west of Ha Noi. Nón lá is used to protect farmers from the fierce sunshine or as a souvenir for foreigners to memorize the time they spend in Vietnam.

The image of Vietnamese lady wearing nón lá and áo dài is a symbol of beauty which tourists will never forget.