Images of ao dai dresses during the 1930s are being displayed at the museum. Vietnamese cellist Dinh Hoai Xuan

HCM CITY (VNS)  — The first museum of ao dai, the traditional long dress, opened today in HCM City.

The museum, located at Long Thuan Garden House, District 9, is the brainchild of ao dai designer Le Sy Hoang. The designer wants to share the history of the traditional long dress with foreign visitors and future generations and increase their awareness of traditional fashion.

The museum displays 30 typical ao dai designs dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and their adaptations till date.

Young visitors can enjoy making their own ao dai on paper, while souvenir dolls in ao dai are available for tourists. Ao dai fashion shows will be organised here occasionally.

The museum is open every day between 8am and 5pm. — VNS