Hanoi, Feb. 19 -- Ho Chi Minh City will host the 11th annual Ao Dai Festival from March 3 to 9, showcasing new collections by 30 renowned designers. This year's festival will take place at various locations, including a park along the Saigon River in Thu Duc city and other key tourist destinations. The event will officially open with a grand music gala on March 7 at President Ho Chi Minh Monument Park on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street. On March 8, thousands of participants dressed in Ao Dai will join a large-scale dance performance on the pedestrian street.

The festival will also feature an online Ao Dai photo contest, a beauty pageant, as well as music and fashion shows. Co-organised by the Department of Tourism and Women's Union of Ho Ch...