The Áo Dài originated in Vietnam. Áo Dài (long dress) is traditional clothes worn by Vietnamese women since the early 1990s and it is still worn today. The Áo Dài consists of a long flowing tunic of fabric warn over a pair of loose-fitting white pants.

Although the Áo Dài originated in Vietnam, there were three important forms of cultrures , which is responsible for the development of the style within the cloth. And I think the first and most effective were the Chinese. The Chinese are the most powerful influeace on the Vietnamese poeple. China controlled Vietnam for about 1,000 years. Therefore the development of the fashion of the Áo Dài is similar to the Chinese dress. And here are some examples like the high neck collar, the alignment of the buttons (from center of the neck to the right and along the side), and the high slits on both sides of the leg.

After this period Vietnam its independence from Chinese rule in 939-1408, and then the French invaded and they took over Vietnam. They ruled and controlled Vietnam from 1859-1959. The latest development of the Áo Dài is from Japan.

The Áo Dài is significant to Vietnamese women because it displays grace, beauty, and elegaance. The occasion in which the Áo Dài is worn signifies the importance of the event. The Vietnamese women wear this attire to casual occasions, school, worship, and when they are getting married. And the young women and single women wear bright color such as yellow, white, and light blue. On the other hand, the older and married women wear darker colors such as blue, purle, and brown.

For school, all students and teachers (women) are required to wear white Áp Dài. The white Áo Dài means purity, elegance, and young. It can also be considered as a uniform to unite the rich and poor within the school. And for the worship, many women wear Áo Dài that has little designs. The temple is considered simple and does not need flashy designs to contaminate its purity and innocence. Finally, for the marriage, the people who get married usually wears beautiful Áo Dài in red or pink. The designs of the Áo Dài for a matrimonial ceremony often display mythical figures like the dragon and phoenix and Chinese prints.

For today, Vietnamese women wear the Áo Dài only on special occasions like weddings and worship. Although, the Áo Dài is not worn often, the aspects of its history and origins and the significance of the attire upon Vietnamese women will always make it unique and special.