Nguyen Thuan Viet, a fashion designer in Viet Nam, will showcase 30 traditional ao dai in New York City with the help of 15 Vietnamese models from New York City, New Jersey and Washington on May 23.

American-Vietnamese Tran Thang, president of the Institute for Vietnamese Culture & Education (IVCE), said now was a dynamic time to showcase the beauty of Viet Nam in New York.

The fashion show will take place alongside an event called Hello Viet Nam 2015, which will be held under the larger event Spotlight Asia: Big Cats at the American Museum of Natural History at Central Park West on 79th Street.

He said the programme would include a Dong Ho folk painting workshop and a Hoi An lantern display.

Thang said the museum would take a look at the cultural role big cats have played across the Asian continent and explore what still needs to be done to ensure these legendary animals' survival.

IVCE, a New York non-profit organisation founded in 2000, aims to raise awareness about Vietnamese culture and expanding the educational opportunities of Vietnamese students. It also promotes Vietnamese culture and education in the US and abroad.

(Source: VNA)