Ao Dai (Vietnamese Traditional Long Dress)

Ao Dai, the beautiful tight fitted dress with long stylish pants, is the national costume of Vietnam since the 18th century.

If you are looking to really spoil a fashion enthusiast back home then an Ao Dai clothing set may be just the souvenir to surprise her with. When it comes to designs, colors, and quality, the choice is abundant.

You can buy a ready-to-wear Ao Dai for around USD30 or opt to have a customised one for USD70 and above.

Hang Da Market is a good place to shop for ready-made Ao Dai.

BEST GIFTS FOR: Yourself or your mother and sister

PRICES: From 700,000 VND ($30) per Ao Dai set

PORTABLE LEVEL: Easy to manage. Just fold this two-piece costume up and put it into the luggage like any of your other clothes.

WHERE TO BUY

• Shops on Bach Mai Street, Kham Thien Street and Hang Da Market for ready-made Ao Dai
• Ao Dai Viet Nam at 40 Trang Thi, Hang Bong, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi for customised Ao Dai
• Ao Dai Designer Boutiques at 23 Luong Van Can Street, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi for customised Ao Dai