Hanoi: Young people flock to Hoan Kiem Lake to take photos in traditional ao dai dresses for an early Tet (Lunar New Year) celebration.
Nearly a month before the Lunar New Year, the area around Hoan Kiem Lake is bustling with the atmosphere of spring festivities, featuring people in traditional ao dai dresses and a vibrant array of photography services and accessories.
These days, Hoan Kiem Lake is adorned with a vibrant appearance as thousands of young people flock there to take photos in traditional ao dai dresses to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Although Tet is still nearly a month away, the festive atmosphere has permeated the central streets of the capital with traditional colors and the lively sounds of laughter from groups of friends and individual photographers alike.
Ideal check-in location and accompanying services.
Along the lake shore, the areas opposite the Ly Thai To monument and the Vietnam Post Office are the most crowded spots. To cater to the demand for capturing beautiful moments, many related services such as renting flower branches, rickshaws, and professional photography with instant file transfer to mobile phones are operating at full capacity.
Notably, the photobooth opposite the Vietnam Post Office, offering a panoramic view of the Turtle Tower, attracted a large crowd queuing up. The price for this service was listed at around 70,000 VND per photo. Many young people were willing to spend hundreds of thousands to millions of VND on costumes, makeup, and hiring a professional photography team to get the perfect set of photos.
The trend of renting costumes and experiencing them firsthand.
Instead of having new ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) made, the trend of renting is gaining popularity thanks to its diverse designs and low cost. Dong Le Dung (18 years old) said that the total cost for the photoshoot, including costume rental, makeup, and flowers, was only about 300,000 VND. Meanwhile, Linh Nga (23 years old) chose to rent a cyclo for 50,000 VND for 20 minutes, paired with a bouquet of white daisies costing 100,000 VND to create a gentle style.
Besides the familiar shades of red and pink, many young people prefer white, pastel, or sheer chiffon ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). The photo spot beneath Hoa Phong Tower with its serene dome is also a favorite choice for those seeking the ancient, nostalgic charm of old Hanoi.
Although the large crowds sometimes made posing difficult, most people felt excited. For many, taking photos in ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) was not only about preserving youthful memories but also a way to start a new year full of luck and joy in the vibrant atmosphere of the days leading up to Tet (Lunar New Year).
