10 Beautiful and Effortless Posing Ideas for Tet 2026 Photos in Ao Dai (Vietnamese traditional dress).

As Tet (Vietnamese New Year) approaches in 2026, the trend of photographing people in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses is becoming increasingly sophisticated, not only in the design, material, and color of the dress, but also in the posing, expressions, and setting. A beautiful photo shoot is no longer just about "wearing an ao dai and posing," but rather a harmonious combination of body posture, movement, gaze, and emotion. Among these, posing is the decisive factor that makes the wearer of the ao dai more attractive, graceful, and outstanding in front of the camera.

Many people feel awkward when taking photos in ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) because they worry about stiff posture, not knowing where to place their hands and feet, or having unnatural expressions. In reality, the ao dai is a garment that demands subtlety in every small gesture. Just changing a standing angle, a hand position, or a gaze can transform a bland photo into one full of emotion. In this article, SaDesign will share 10 ways to pose for stunning ao dai photos for Tet 2026, easily applicable to any situation, so that each Tet photo becomes a memorable keepsake.

1. How to pose for photos in a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) during Tet (Lunar New Year) with lucky money envelopes.

Red envelopes are a familiar image and hold special meaning during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year). Not only do they symbolize good fortune, wealth, and auspicious wishes for the new year, but red envelopes are also a very effective accessory for creating a striking effect in Tet-themed ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) photos. When combined with an ao dai, the photo instantly captures the spring atmosphere, vibrant yet retaining traditional charm.

When posing with red envelopes, it's important to avoid looking awkward or overly dramatic. You should hold the red envelope naturally and gently, in keeping with the spirit of Tet (Vietnamese New Year). A common and easy pose is to hold the red envelope with both hands in front of your chest, looking down or sideways, combined with a slight smile. This pose suits a feminine, gentle style and is very safe for those who are not used to posing.

For a more lively photo, you can hold the red envelope in one hand, gently lifting the hem of your dress with the other hand or placing it lightly at your side. Your body should be slightly angled away from the camera to create a slender and graceful look. For youthful concepts, you can gently raise the red envelope towards the camera, with a bright gaze, giving the impression of sending New Year's wishes to the viewers.

The color of the red envelopes should be carefully considered to harmonize with the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). Traditional red envelopes are very suitable with white, light yellow, pastel blue, or other neutral-colored ao dai. Avoid using too many envelopes at once, as this will make the photo look cluttered and detract from the inherent elegance of the ao dai.

2. Posing for photos in a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) and conical hat (nón lá) for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

The conical hat has long been a symbol associated with the image of Vietnamese women. When combined with the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) in Tet (Lunar New Year) photos, the overall picture will have a strong traditional feel, evoking a simple, pure, yet incredibly graceful beauty.

Posing with a conical hat isn't difficult, but it requires attention to detail. One of the most popular poses is holding the hat with both hands in front of your stomach, slightly tilting it to reveal your face. This pose helps to conceal the lower body while highlighting your face and eyes. When shooting close-ups, you can look directly into the camera with a gentle expression or look to the side to add depth to the photo.

Another way is to put on a conical hat, gently holding the brim with your hand, and tilt your head slightly to one side. This pose is very suitable for concepts with a nostalgic feel or in settings such as villages, temples, and old towns. When taking a standing pose, you should keep your back straight, shoulders relaxed, and neck slightly extended to create an elegant silhouette.

The conical hat is usually best suited to ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) in light colors and soft materials such as silk, voile, or chiffon. Natural light will help highlight the fabric of the dress and create a fresh, airy feel, perfectly suited to the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) concept.

3. Taking Tet photos with ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and a fan.

Fans are one of the most versatile posing accessories when taking photos in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses for Tet (Lunar New Year). Not only do they provide a natural support for the hands, but they also create a soft, graceful feel, perfectly suited to the spirit of spring.

When posing with a fan, you can choose a paper fan, a silk fan, or a wooden fan depending on the concept. A popular pose is to hold the fan lightly to cover half of your face, only revealing your eyes and smile. This pose creates a shy, modest feeling and is very photogenic, especially in close-up shots.

Alternatively, you can open the fan and hold it horizontally in front of your chest, looking sideways or downward, creating a gentle, feminine look. For more modern concepts, holding the fan with one hand and placing the other hand on your hip or holding the hem of your dress will make the photo look more natural and graceful.

When photographing with a fan, it's important to avoid completely covering the face for too long, and to keep the hand movements gentle so the photo doesn't look stiff. The fan's color should harmonize with the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and the background to create a unified overall effect.

4. Posing for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) photos in a traditional dress with flowers.

Flowers are the soul of spring, an indispensable element in any Tet (Lunar New Year) photo shoot. When combined with the traditional ao dai dress, the photo is not only aesthetically pleasing but also perfectly conveys the spirit of freshness, new beginnings, and hope for the new year.

When posing with flowers, pay attention to their size and color so they don't overpower the dress. A small, hand-sized bouquet is usually a safe and elegant choice. You can hold the flowers in front of your chest, looking down or sideways, creating a gentle and feminine feel.

For full-body shots, hold the bouquet lower than your waist to flatter the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and avoid obscuring your body curves. Another pose is to stand close to the flower branch, gently touching the petals with your hand, focusing your gaze on the flowers as if feeling the spring air. This pose creates a very natural and emotional feel.

Peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums, or baby's breath can all be used depending on the region and concept. The important thing is to keep the overall image harmonious and gentle, avoiding using too many flowers which can make the photo look heavy.

5. Poses for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) photos in traditional Ao Dai dress with lanterns.

Lanterns are accessories that evoke a festive atmosphere, especially suitable for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) photoshoots in traditional ao dai dresses. The light from the lanterns not only creates a visual highlight but also brings a feeling of warmth and togetherness.

When posing with a lantern, you can hold it in one hand, letting it hang gently, while the other hand is placed at your side or holding the hem of your dress. Your gaze can be straight ahead or at an angle to create depth in the photo. For evening shoots or in warm lighting, the glowing lantern will make the photo look enchanting and very attractive.

Another way is to hold the lantern with both hands in front of you, combined with a bright smile, suitable for a youthful, modern style. When shooting outdoors, you can walk slowly so that the photographer can capture the natural movement of your dress and the lantern.

6. Posing in a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) for Tet alongside New Year's couplets.

Red couplets are a familiar sight during the Lunar New Year, symbolizing wishes for good fortune, peace, and prosperity. When taking photos in ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) alongside couplets, the style should lean towards elegance, tradition, and gentleness.

You can stand leaning against the couplet, your hand gently touching the red paper, your gaze fixed on the characters or gazing into the distance. This pose adds depth to the photo and clearly conveys the spirit of traditional Tet. Another pose is holding the couplet in your hand, placing it in front of your chest or slightly to one side, maintaining a gentle, reserved expression on your face.

The setting should be simple so that the couplet and the ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) become the main focal points. Avoid overly elaborate poses as they will detract from the inherent formality of this concept.

7. How to style a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) for Tet (Lunar New Year) with a peach blossom garden.

A peach blossom garden is the ideal backdrop for Tet (Lunar New Year) photoshoots in traditional Vietnamese ao dai dresses, capturing the essence of spring in Northern Vietnam. When shooting in this setting, you should take advantage of natural light and ample space to create comfortable poses.

A common pose is standing slightly to the side, one hand gently touching a peach blossom branch, the other hanging naturally. The gaze can be directed into the distance or focused on the flowers, creating a dreamy and romantic feel. For a more lively shot, you can walk slowly through the peach blossom garden, letting your dress flutter gently in the breeze.

This style is very suitable for ao dai made of soft fabric, with gentle colors or delicate spring floral patterns.

8. Wearing an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and posing for photos while holding flowers in your arms.

The pose of holding flowers in your arms evokes a warm, feminine feeling and is perfect for Lunar New Year photos. This pose makes the wearer look gentle, approachable, and easily creates a positive impression on viewers.

When posing, you should hold the bouquet close to your chest but not too high to avoid obscuring your neck and shoulders. A slight tilt of your head, with your gaze looking down or to the side, will make the photo look softer and more natural. This pose is suitable for half-body or full-body portraits in a relaxed setting with soft lighting.

9. Taking photos in traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai during Tet (Lunar New Year) with a seated pose.

Sitting poses are an interesting option that helps make Tet (Lunar New Year) ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) photos more diverse and fresh. However, when taking photos in a sitting pose, you need to pay attention to maintaining the correct posture to avoid distorting the shape of the dress.

You can sit on a wooden chair, steps, or a New Year's mat, with your legs neatly folded to one side, your back straight, and your shoulders relaxed. Place your hands lightly on your thighs or hold an accessory such as flowers or a fan to add a touch of elegance. Your gaze should be directed towards the camera or slightly to the side to create a relaxed and natural feel.

10. How to take elegant photos in a traditional Vietnamese dress (áo dài) for Tet (Lunar New Year).

An elegant pose is a basic yet always effective way to photograph someone wearing an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress). The right posture will flatter your figure, highlight your body lines, and showcase the beauty of the outfit. You should stand slightly angled relative to the camera, with one foot in front of the other to create a gentle curve. Your hands can hold the hem of the dress, be placed at your sides, or hold a Tet (Vietnamese New Year) accessory. A straight back, slightly extended neck, and relaxed shoulders are crucial elements for a graceful and natural pose.