The quiet invader in your shopping cartA quick stroll through Tet markets or e-commerce platforms reveals a flood of so-called “modern ao dai” priced as low as $4–$8. These foreign details, when they dominate, turn ao dai into a theatrical costume rather than a piece of heritage. Toward a flexible preservation strategy for ao daiVietnamese women in the past wearing Raglan-style ao dai. Second, rather than enforcing ao dai as a mandatory school uniform, cultural education should be integrated into curricula. Imagine a “Ao dai Passport” in Hue, Hoi An, or Hanoi Citadel: tourists wearing verified traditional ao dai get free entry or discounts.
