Honoring the past, and creating new traditions.

The Ao Dai Festival, a multi-dimensional experience celebrating Vietnamese art and culture returns to downtown San Jose, on Sunday, May 18, 2024. Dancers and stilt walkers dressed in the traditional Ao Dai and scores of musicians and drummers ignite the festivities in a spectacular pre-show outdoor ceremony set against a tapestry of colored flags and red silk banners.

The evening show extravaganza presents “Modern Fairy Tales”

Event sponsorship is also available. Read more about the history of the Ao Dai and its significance relative to Vietnamese culture. San Jose City Hall Rotunda, 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose CA. 

Free Outdoor Opening Ceremony – Come early to get good view of the spectacular event.

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm San Jose City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara, San Jose, CA

Be a guest at our outdoor opening ceremony, a presentation of colors, sound, and opulence. Stilt walkers, drummers, and models in colorful Áo Dài will adorn the San Jose City Hall.  There will be food trucks and interactive art workshops.  This portion is open to the public.

5:30pm Evening Event/Program (Ticket Required)

**************************************************************************

San Jose City Hall, 200 E Santa Clara St, San Jose, Ca 95113

5 PM dinner: Sit-down dinner, music, gourmet wine, hors d’oeuvres, and meeting the all the artists/designers. 

6:30 PM – 9:00 PM  Evening Show.  Enjoy our show extravaganza inside the San Jose City Hall.  This year’s theme title is Modern Fairytales, promising attendants an evening to remember

Friends of Hue is one of the leaders in organizing and making Áo Dài Festival happen. A celebration of Vietnam’s arts and culture, the melting point of the past and present.

Since 2011 San Jose has celebrated Áo Dài Festival and has made May 15th as an official “Áo Dài Day” in 2016. It is a must-see celebration graced by world-class Vietnamese Artists, Fashion Designers, Musicians, Dancers, Poets, Theater Artists and many more.  

It is our expression as a part of the Vietnamese American community of our pride and passion in valuing and passing through the Vietnamese cultural heritage, arts, and history.