After the Lunar New Year holiday, Miss Vietnam Ngoc Han has quickly returned to work, preparing for a one-week trip to Dubai.

She has been invited as the only áo dài designer to participate in the "Hon Viet" (Soul of Vietnam) exhibition, set to take place on February 11 at Etihad Museum (Dubai, UAE).

The event, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnamese Embassy in the UAE, aims to introduce the artistic and cultural heritage of Vietnam to an international audience.

The exhibition will feature works from renowned Vietnamese painters, including Dang Phuong Viet, Khong Do Duy, Nguyen Thanh Quang, Dang Thi Thu An, Nguyen Duc Huy, Nguyen Minh Son, and Vuong Linh.

Alongside these paintings, Ngoc Han’s áo dài collection will be displayed, blending traditional Vietnamese craftsmanship with fine art. All featured artworks, including both paintings and áo dài, are inspired by the rich cultural and historical identity of Vietnam.

Ngoc Han will travel to Dubai on February 7, accompanied by a group of Vietnamese painters. For the exhibition, she has prepared four áo dài collections, each drawing inspiration from Vietnamese art:

Kim Hoang folk paintings

Year of the Snake celebration

A Touch of Hanoi, featuring prints by artist Le Thiet Cuong

A special collaboration with artist Dang Phuong Viet

Additionally, she has designed a selection of custom áo dài symbolizing the strong diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the UAE.

Upon receiving the invitation from the Vietnamese Embassy in the UAE, Ngoc Han and Dang Phuong Viet worked together to create one-of-a-kind artistic áo dài.

Originally, she planned to obtain copyright permissions to print lotus flower paintings on fabric. However, the artist suggested an even bolder approach - hand-painting the designs directly onto the áo dài.

“The idea from Dang Phuong Viet was incredibly inspiring, so I carefully selected silk, brocade, and organza fabrics that would best complement his work,” Ngoc Han shared.

For a truly immersive experience, the artist requested that Ngoc Han wear the áo dài while he painted, allowing him to observe how the fabric moved with her gestures. This ensured that the artwork flowed seamlessly with the natural drape of the garment.

“This was my first time witnessing a renowned artist painting directly onto an áo dài that I was wearing. Watching him work, I gained an even greater appreciation for his meticulous technique and talent,” Ngoc Han said.

Known for his exquisite lotus paintings, Dang Phuong Viet brought the floral motif to life with dynamic, free-flowing brushstrokes, capturing the elegance and poetic beauty of the flower.

After two days of intensive work, the artist completed five hand-painted lotus artworks on áo dài and jackets designed by Ngoc Han. Both the designer and the artist were satisfied with the final pieces and hope to leave a lasting impression on the international audience at the Dubai exhibition.

In addition to these hand-painted designs, Ngoc Han has also created áo dài inspired by Vietnam’s national emblem and traditional UAE patterns. This unique fusion of cultural elements serves as a gesture of appreciation for the host country.

With this prestigious invitation, Ngoc Han continues to elevate Vietnamese fashion onto the global stage, reinforcing the timeless beauty of áo dài as a symbol of national pride and artistic innovation.