The áo dài calendar (Vietnam)

In Hue, at a travel office, I saw a calendar featuring women in áo dài. I made a mental note to buy a similar calendar before leaving Vietnam.

My last days in Vietnam were in Hanoi. It was the end of the year. Many street vendors were selling calendars. I approached one, looked up my phrase book, and said, “woman, calendar.” The vendor nodded, indicating he understood. He pulled out a calendar, but it featured women in bikinis, not áo dài.

A passing student offered to translate. When the vendor heard what I really wanted, he laughed and said he didn’t stock those calendars anymore because they were out of fashion. Seeing my disappointment, he promised to try to find one and asked me to return later.

I went back an hour later. The seller greeted me with a wide grin and my áo dài calendar.