A contest held as part of the sixth annual Ao Dai Festival in Ho Chi Minh City to promote Vietnam’s traditional costumes announced the winners during the final night on Sunday.

The event, Duyen Dang Ao Dai (Charming Ao Dai), was among the highlights of the ongoing festival organized by the municipal tourism department from March 2 to 17.

Contestant H’Lan Buon Ya, of Ede ethnic group, won the 'most impressive ao dai' title. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

As the contest was open to all people who love the traditional attire, this year's contestants included a member of an ethnic minority group and a foreigner.

The final round was held on Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street in District 1 on Sunday night, where prizes collectively worth more than VND300 million (US$13,000) were handed over to winners of the individual and group categories.

A young Estonian woman wowed the audience as she appeared elegant in the Vietnamese costume on the final night.

Estonian contestant Lisimasi Ran wows the audience with her elegance in ao dai. Photo: Duyen Phan / Tuoi Tre

The competition received around 500 applications, with the youngest being 17 years old, and the eldest, 79 years old. They both won special awards in the finale.

The first prize for female contestants aged from 18 to 35 went to Tran Nguyen Tram, while Le Thi Mong Dao took home the highest award for female contestants over 35 years of age.

Phan Thanh Phong won the first prize for males aged over 18.

The Women’s Union of District 3 and Majestic Hotel claimed the best group performance awards.

H’Lan Buon Ya, a contestant from Ede, the 12th most populous ethnic minority group in Vietnam, clinched the ‘most impressive ao dai’ title.

Here are some photos from the final night.

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