Where to Rent Ao Dai and Ancient Costumes to Visit Hue Imperial City: Experience Transforming into the Ancient Royal Court

Hue Imperial City, part of the Complex of Hue Monuments, preserves the architectural beauty and culture of the Nguyen Dynasty. When donning traditional Ao Dai or royal ancient costumes such as Nhat Binh dress or Ngu Than dress, you not only feel the majesty and antiquity of the space, but also step into a journey back in time, transforming into an empress, princess, or court mandarin.

• Deep cultural experience: Wearing ancient costumes helps you immerse yourself in the historical space and gain a clearer sense of Nguyen Dynasty culture and customs.
• Unique check-in photography: Photos in ancient attire at locations like Ngo Mon Gate, Ngu Phung Tower, or Truong Lang corridor will be steeped in nostalgic charm, creating unforgettable memories.
• Honoring traditional values: This is a way for you to contribute to spreading the beauty of traditional Vietnamese attire, especially amidst the actively promoted project “Hue - The Capital of Vietnamese Ao Dai”.

When renting an Ao Dai or ancient costumes in Hue, you will have many options to suit your preferences and style. Below are some prominent types of attire:

Nhat Binh Dress

• Characteristics: Nhat Binh dress is royal court attire reserved for empresses, princesses, and noblewomen of the Nguyen Dynasty. It features a split front collar with a large rectangular collar band, often intricately embroidered with patterns, conveying a noble and luxurious beauty.
• Rental price: Ranges from 300,000 - 350,000 VND/set/day, depending on the shop and included services.
• Best suited for: Those who love elaborate details and wish to transform into noble figures.

Ngu Than Dress (Ao Tac)

• Characteristics: Ngu Than dress, also known as Ao Tac, is a traditional garment with five panels, symbolizing the moral principles of “benevolence - propriety - righteousness - wisdom - trustworthiness”. It features a standing collar, right-side buttoning, and flaps extending below the knee, suitable for both men and women.
• Rental price: From 100,000 - 200,000 VND/set/day.
• Best suited for: Those who favor elegance, tradition, and simplicity.

Giao Linh Dress

• Characteristics: Giao Linh dress features a left flap crossing over the right, influenced by Eastern culture. It carries a graceful beauty, often worn on major festival occasions.
• Rental price: From 100,000 - 200,000 VND/set/day.
• Best suited for: Visitors looking for a gentle, approachable style.

Royal Court Attire

• Characteristics: Includes dragon robes, ceremonial gowns, or robes for emperors and court officials, crafted from premium fabrics with exquisite dragon and phoenix motifs.
• Rental price: From 400,000 - 1,000,000 VND/set/day, depending on the complexity of the outfit.
• Best suited for: Wedding photo shoots or special events aiming to recreate the royal court atmosphere.

To have the best experience, choosing a reputable rental shop is very important. Below is a list of prominent rental shops near Hue Imperial City:

• Hoang Thanh Ancient Costume Shop
  • Address: 136 Dang Thai Than, Hue City (next to Hue Imperial City)
  • Reference rental price: 100,000 VND (Giao Linh dress), 320,000 VND (Nhat Binh dress)
  • Services: Renting diverse ancient costumes, offering full photo shoot packages, makeup, and hair styling.
  • Highlights: Convenient location right next to the Imperial City, enthusiastic staff supporting dressing instructions.
• Nha Gao Ao Dai
  • Address: 18/42 Nguyen Cong Tru, Hue City
  • Reference rental price: 300,000 VND (Nhat Binh dress, free hair styling included)
  • Services: Renting Ao Dai, ancient costumes, and providing professional photography services.
  • Highlights: Diverse styles, reasonable prices, suitable for both individuals and groups.
• Co Phuc 99 Shop
  • Address: 99 Le Huan, Thuan Hoa, Hue, Hue City
  • Reference rental price: 350,000 VND (Nhat Binh dress)
  • Services: Providing accessories such as headbands (man), fans, jade bracelets, and makeup services.
  • Highlights: Meticulous care for each costume, suitable for elaborate photography concepts.
• Hoang Bao Ancient Costumes
  • Address: 16 Doan Thi Diem, Hue City
  • Reference rental price: From 100,000 - 350,000 VND, depending on costume type
  • Services: Wide variety of designs, photography and makeup support.
  • Highlights: Up-to-date with new trends, friendly service, suitable for international tourists.
• Hoa Nghiem – Vietnamese Ancient Costumes
  • Address: 5 Van Xuan, Hue City
  • Reference rental price: From 100,000 - 400,000 VND
  • Services: Providing Ao Dai, Ao Tac, Nhat Binh dress with premium fabrics.
  • Highlights: Over 30 years of experience, ensuring quality and refinement in every costume.

For a complete experience when renting ancient costumes to visit Hue Imperial City, keep the following in mind:

• Check material and size: Choose well-fitted attire made from breathable materials for comfort during long walks.
• Clarify included services: Some shops provide accessories (headbands, wooden clogs, fans) or makeup and photo shoot services. Inquire in advance to know specific costs.
• Rental duration: Usually, rental rates apply per day. If you need to keep the costume until the next day, negotiate beforehand with the shop.
• Taking photos at the Imperial City: Ensure compliance with monument regulations, dress politely, and prepare a map so as not to miss beautiful check-in spots like Ngu Phung Tower, Truong Lang corridor, or Dien Tho Palace.
• Ideal timing: Festival season (April - May) or when the Parasol trees (Hoa Ngo Dong) bloom (early April) are great times for photo shoots in ancient costumes.

Thorough preparation of these factors will help you enjoy a complete experience, capturing the most beautiful and meaningful moments while transforming into ancient costumes at Hue Imperial City. 

To fully immerse yourself in the royal court atmosphere, don't forget to keep in mind these extremely engaging photography tips below.

• Choose shooting angles: Locations such as Ngo Mon Gate, Ngu Phung Tower, or the Truong Lang corridor are ideal places for photos steeped in royal charm.
• Pose naturally: Learn a few poses from the shop staff or consult articles from Hoang Thanh Ancient Costume Shop to have elegant postures that suit the outfit.
• Pick good lighting times: Early morning or late afternoon provides ideal natural light, making your photos look more stunning.
• Combine accessories: Use traditional headbands (man), fans, or jade bracelets to add an extra touch of nobility.

Transforming into Ao Dai and ancient costumes when visiting Hue Imperial City not only gives you memorable photos, but is also a journey back to the past, living fully in the golden era of the Nguyen Dynasty. This will surely be a unique experience you shouldn't miss when visiting the Ancient Capital.

If you want to make your trip even more complete, let Sovaba Travel accompany you on the Hue Imperial City tour. With professional service, well-designed itineraries, and a team of knowledgeable tour guides, Sovaba Travel will help you discover the Imperial City not just with your eyes, but with emotion and cultural understanding. Book the Hue Imperial City tour with Sovaba Travel now to enjoy a meaningful journey, exploring history while embodying nobility in the ancient royal court space.