The London Ao Dai Fashion Week 2026 is scheduled to take place from September 19th to 21st, 2026 in London, England, as part of London Fashion Week. This marks the first time the Vietnamese Ao Dai will be showcased through collections by Vietnamese designers on a truly international fashion stage.
With the message "A Runway of Heritage, A Future of Style ," the event aims to bring the ao dai – a symbol of Vietnamese culture – into the international fashion scene, while simultaneously creating an ecosystem connecting culture, community, commerce, and creativity between Vietnam and the world .
The program is sponsored by the Vietnamese Embassy in the United Kingdom and supported by many reputable organizations in Europe, the UK, and Vietnam, including the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese. This is considered a large-scale cultural diplomacy initiative, bringing together designers, artisans, artists, media professionals, the Vietnamese community in Europe, and international partners.
According to the organizers, London Ao Dai Fashion Week 2026 is designed as a series of interconnected activities where culture, creativity, community, and commerce are closely linked. The focus of the event is the Ao Dai fashion shows, showcasing collections by Vietnamese designers on an international stage.
In addition, there will be a parade of ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) at historical landmarks and iconic sites in London, aiming to honor the ao dai as a living heritage and affirm its position in the global fashion world.
The program also includes an exhibition showcasing the finest traditional Vietnamese crafts, featuring brocade, silk, ceramics, folk paintings, handcrafted jewelry, conical hats, sedge grass bags, and other environmentally friendly products. The organizers plan to hold live demonstrations of the crafting process, allowing the international public to experience the depth of Vietnamese heritage.
Alongside this is a space dedicated to Vietnamese cuisine and specialties, showcasing typical dishes such as pho, spring rolls, fried spring rolls, banh mi, and other premium food products, contributing to a comprehensive Vietnamese cultural experience right in the heart of London, while also opening up opportunities for networking and business cooperation.
The project aims for five overarching goals: internationalizing the ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) on the London fashion stage; promoting cultural exchange between Vietnam and the global fashion industry; fostering the participation of the Vietnamese diaspora, international models, and young talents; showcasing handcrafted products and sustainable materials associated with Vietnamese art; and implementing a cultural diplomacy initiative under the patronage of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad and in collaboration with reputable community organizations in Europe.
With the overarching message that the Vietnamese ao dai (traditional dress) is present on the international stage with its own unique identity, the organizers aim to build Ao Dai Fashion Week into a global brand, with the next destinations planned being Paris and Milan.
TT (compiled)