Beauty of labor at the Ao Dai, Ao Ba Ba fashion contest

The 2025 Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese long dress) and Ao Ba Ba (traditional southern Vietnamese outfit) Fashion Contest for female trade union members and employees, organized by the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Confederation, left many beautiful impressions and brought joy and excitement to trade union members and employees working at units and enterprises in Dong Nai province.

The contest was part of the series of activities under the “Dong Nai Women’s Festival – Confidence in Integration,” held to celebrate the success of the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Party Committee for the 2025–2030 tenure, the 1st Congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dong Nai province, the 1st Congress of the Dong Nai Provincial Trade Union, and the 95th anniversary of the Vietnam Women’s Union (October 20, 1930 - 2025).

A place for female workers to shine with confidence

Held for the first time, the contest drew 65 teams with nearly 500 participants from 55 grassroots Trade Unions representing units and enterprises across Dong Nai. More than just a cultural and artistic event, it was also an opportunity to celebrate the graceful, modest, yet confident beauty of female workers in Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba, symbols of Vietnam's traditional culture.

Contestants perform in the traditional Ao Dai segment of the contest. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

Amid soft, flowing music, the contestants took turns showcasing their grace and talent through traditional Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba costumes, iconic garments closely tied to everyday life and labor. The flowing Ao Dai embodied elegance and refinement, while the simple "Ao Ba Ba" reflected the diligence and resilience of Vietnamese rural women.

Bui Thi Thanh Hien, a worker in the packaging department at Far Eastern New Apparel Vietnam Co. Ltd in Dong Phu commune, traveled a considerable distance with her colleagues to participate in the contest. Hien shared that she felt happy and proud to represent her company's workforce in the event. For her, it was a chance to showcase the traditional beauty of Vietnamese women, as well as an opportunity to connect and learn from fellow workers.

“Through this contest, I can truly feel the care and support of the Trade Union, which helps us become more confident and shine both at work and in life,” Hien shared.

At the contest, the teams demonstrated thorough preparation, seriousness, and professionalism, delivering well-rounded performances on stage that were highly praised by the jury. In addition to the Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba showcases, the program featured musical exchanges and creative introductions that highlighted the image of modest women in production and workplace settings. Complementing the performances were poems, reports, and songs that illustrated and celebrated the love for the homeland, the nation, and Vietnam's rich history and culture, adding vibrancy and meaning to the event.

Participating in the contest for the first time in an elegant traditional Ao Dai, worker Huynh Thi Thu Tram from Longwell Vietnam Co., Ltd. in Dau Giay commune, joined her teammates in delivering a confident, well-rounded performance.

At Global Dynamic Mechanical Co., Ltd. in Trang Bom commune, many female workers are not only skilled in their jobs but also actively participate in movements and contests organized by the Trade Union. Despite working in a demanding mechanical environment, they transformed into professional models on stage, gracefully showcasing traditional Ao Dai costumes.

Thu Tram said that because her job keeps her constantly on the production line, she has little time to practice, but she still felt confident taking part in the contest. For her, it is a chance to connect, learn from other teams, and above all, to showcase the traditional beauty of the Ao Dai at the event.

“I’m grateful to the Trade Union for organizing this meaningful contest for women across the province. It enhances our spiritual life and gives us confidence to shine after hours of factory work,” Thu Tram confided.

Preserving national cultural identity

The success of the Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba Fashion Contest, with hundreds of participants and viewers, demonstrated the appeal of its performances. Many female workers, who are usually modest in factories and enterprises, busy with orders and pressure of product targets, confidently walked the stage, expressing their feminine grace through Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba costumes. What made the event even more special was that many workers designed and tailored their own outfits right at their factories, bringing freshness, neatness, and color to the contest.

Contestants perform in the colorful Ao Ba Ba fashion segment of the contest. Photo: Nguyen Hoa

Nguyen Thi Mai Chi, Chairwoman of the Trade Union at Far Eastern New Apparel Vietnam Co. Ltd., said: The Ao Dai and Ao Ba Ba Fashion Contest was a meaningful and practical activity that honored traditional beauty and the elegance of Vietnamese women. Through the contest, the graceful Ao Dai and the simple yet delicate Ao Ba Ba helped spread deep cultural values, highlighting the beauty of female workers in the new era.

“This activity enriches workers’ spiritual lives and reflects the Trade Union’s care and attention to employees, especially female members,” Mai Chi shared.

Nguyen Van Tiep, Chairman of the company’s Trade Union, said: Although female workers make up a smaller proportion than men, they always participate confidently in company-organized activities. In this contest in particular, the women eagerly registered and took time to practice after work. With that determination, they delivered excellent performances and beautifully showcased their charm through colorful traditional costumes.

Bui Thi Bich Thuy, Standing Vice Chairwoman of the Provincial Labor Confederation, stated that, after more than two months since its launch, the contest has received enthusiastic and active participation from trade union members and workers. Through vibrant performances, the teams delivered impressive showcases that reflected their love for their homeland, national pride, and the cultural beauty of Vietnamese women. The contest served as a new platform for female union members and workers to express their confidence, dynamism, and creativity, while contributing to the spreading of the image of Dong Nai women as “graceful, intelligent, integrated” in the new era. The organizing committee selected 30 outstanding performances for the final round, held on October 19.

By Nguyen Hoa - Translated by Dang Huyen, Minho