Doan Phuoc Truong, from Ho Chi Minh City, recently returned from a trip to eight countries in the former Yugoslavia and the Balkan region, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Hungary, Albania, and Slovenia.

These are the latest destinations in Truong's journey to check in wearing ao dai at 100 landmarks in 100 countries by 2030 (100/100/2030). So far, he has visited 68 countries and approximately 250 cities worldwide.

Doan Phuoc Truong photographed on the "Top of Europe". Photo: NVCC

Doan Phuoc Truong photographed on the "Top of Europe". Photo: NVCC

"For the past 20 years, every time I travel abroad for the New Year, I wear ao dai and take photos at famous landmarks. Western friends suggested I take more photos in other places," Truong said about the idea. The number 100 "is quite meaningful, and the year 2030 is easy to remember."

On average, Truong visits 3-5 countries per trip, exploring 4-5 cities in each country. He always carries 2-4 ao dai on each journey. In addition, he brings a Vietnamese flag, conical hats, checkered scarves, and refrigerator magnets of landmarks such as Notre Dame Cathedral, Ben Thanh Market, Ha Long Bay, One Pillar Pagoda, and Hue Imperial Citadel as gifts for friends.

Some photos were taken in special circumstances, such as standing atop the snow-covered Jungfrau mountain in Switzerland, the highest peak in Europe (4,158 m), in 2024. At that time, he felt dizzy and short of breath due to the lack of oxygen. In early 2025, he braved -28°C temperatures to take photos with a model of the Temple of Literature in Hanoi at the Harbin Ice Festival, one stop on his journey through 12 Chinese cities over the past 12 months.

At the end of 2023, Truong showcased an ao dai featuring the Notre Dame Cathedral while watching the sunset over the Sahara Desert in nearly 40°C heat. He also took photos on a cruise ship around Northern European countries, including Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, in 2022. He is also pleased with the ao dai photos taken in front of Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in England in 2018.

Images of ao dai and the places Truong has visited. Photo: NVCC

Photo taken in Hungary. Photo: NVCC

Photo taken in Luang Prabang (Laos). Photo: NVCC

Photo taken in Morocco. Photo: NVCC

Vietnamese ao dai in Harbin (China). Photo: NVCC

Truong on his latest trip to Croatia. Photo: NVCC

At Manchester United's stadium (England). Photo: NVCC

Truong believes that whether modern or traditional, ao dai is only beautiful when worn appropriately. He is happy to see that wearing ao dai is becoming increasingly popular among young people, especially men. In addition to taking photos at landmarks, he gains a deeper understanding of the value and beauty of ao dai, reminding him of Vietnam, as expressed in the song "A glimpse of homeland" by musicians Tu Huy and Thanh Tung.

Truong said the idea, though coincidental, is "very appealing" because of the cultural exchange between Vietnam and the countries he visits. When international tourists admire the ao dai and ask to take photos with him, he feels proud and responsible for preserving and promoting its beauty. Many friends who later travel or work in Vietnam ask him for recommendations on where to buy or tailor ao dai.

"Those who ask for photos are usually local tour guides or international tourists," Truong said.

Truong, who currently works as a freelancer in tourism, advertising, tour consulting, and evaluation, didn't have much difficulty persuading 20 ao dai designers to join him. Many even tailor-made ao dai for him to have the best product. "I always ask designers about the fabric, the meaning of each image and motif, and the name of the collection," he said.

Having worked in the textile industry, he said explaining technical terms in English, Chinese, or Russian about the ao dai he's wearing is not difficult.

Images of ao dai and the places Truong has visited. Photo: NVCC

In 2025, to reach his goal of 100, Truong plans to visit Kim Il-sung Square (North Korea), Cape of Good Hope (South Africa), Machu Picchu (Peru), Red Square (Russia), and Niagara Falls on the US-Canada border. He hopes to bring ao dai to the Arctic and Antarctic. In addition, two destinations in Vietnam he wants to visit soon are the Spratly Islands and Son Doong Cave.

"I hope the photo series will be completed smoothly. Achieving 100 in the next five years is not easy, but entirely feasible," Truong said. He hopes to establish a Vietnam Record and organize an exhibition of 100 photos with ao dai taken in 100 countries around the world.

Tam Anh