Áo bà ba

[1] To protect and honor the time-honored traditions of Vietnam, Hau Giang Province held the Áo Bà Ba Festival in 2023.

The áo bà ba, on the other hand, was invariably made of silk or, until more modern synthetic fibers such as polyester, silk-like material.

Jacquard weaving was associated with the upper class, the aristocracy, and Chinese tradition, for its ability to inlay intricate designs, motifs, and metallic colors.

Since the dawn of photography, the áo bà ba, like most other garments identifiable of mainland Southeast Asia—Cambodia, Laos, Burma—has maintained its basic shape for a century and a half into present times.

Except, the áo bà ba does not have an upright Mandarin collar but an open neck and is not closed at the shoulder but is either a pull-top or has buttons along the front.

Another key difference to distinguish the áo bà ba as a particularly Vietnamese variation or innovation, setting it apart from the Chinese silhouette with a casual glance, is the buttons would not be knotted cords or frog (fastening) but plain and most often round like on Western garments.

As with denim jeans in the West, the áo bà ba's no-frills design worn by the simple folk outlasted many other trends and is considered a classic.

The áo bà ba is Vietnamese in modern times and has regained respect for its close relationship with the culture and civilization of Vietnam rather than a war.

[7] Metal sew-on snap buttons are still preferred as a cost-effective yet elegant middle ground between traditionally more expensive natural materials and chintzy modern plastics and polymers.

While the áo bà ba is still traditionally considered a long-sleeve garment, it was always perfectly normal to roll them up for work, for craftwork and skilled labor, for child caring, and certainly for cooking and household chores.

[7] Through the Vietnam War, particularly through the eye of American media and cameras, Vietnamese people were portrayed to favor wearing "black pajamas" all day.

[7] The garment's simplicity and versatility has contributed to its popularity, as it is used by an overwhelming amount of the population, whether in rural or urban areas today.