At the “Past and Present Ba Ba Shirt’s Beauty” Contest, which was within the framework of the Cai Rang Floating Market Cultural Tourism Festival, we heard many people admiring this type of shirt. Indeed, the Ba Ba shirt, with an uncomplicated design but with an unusual appeal, could show the diversity and richness in design and uses through the contestants' stage performances, such as the Ba Ba shirt in the reclamation time, in the resistance war, in contemporary life, simple Ba Ba shirts in fields and on rivers, formal Ba Ba shirts in ceremonies and parties, etc. The Ba Ba shirt, therefore, is never outdated or monotonous.

After only 3 weeks of launching the “Past and Present Ba Ba Shirt’s Beauty” Contest, nearly 300 contestants registered to participate, not only in the Western region but also spreading to many provinces and cities, including the Northwest region. Not only young women registered to attend but also mothers, grandmothers, fathers under 40, under 50, etc. were also excited to register. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, a contestant from Tien Giang province, said that she loved the Ba Ba shirt very much, so when she knew that there was a contest held in Cai Rang, she immediately registered to participate. The contest has brought an impressive space to honor the Ba Ba shirt. Mr. Trang Cong Bac, a candidate from Thuong Thanh ward, Cai Rang district, said: "I participated in the contest mainly for socializing, seeing it as an interesting activity to experience the Ba Ba shirt, without placing too much emphasis on achievements."

There are many theories about the origin and time of the appearance of the Ba Ba shirt in the South, but they have in common that the Ba Ba shirt has appeared for a very long time and has become a cultural characteristic of the clothing of the people here. There are many styles of Ba Ba shirt, for example, betel leaf-shaped collar, heart-shaped collar, chive leaf-shaped hems, Raglan sleeves, short sleeves or long sleeves, shirts having pockets or outer shirts, invisible seam stitches (hand sewing) or machine sewn, etc. This is folk knowledge, which is passed down from generation to generation by the residents to preserve the charm of the Ba Ba shirt.

Mr. Le Van Hoang, Head of the Culture and Information Department of Cai Rang district, said: "46 finalists will wear Ba Ba shirts, participate in activities to experience Cai Rang Floating Market, historical and cultural relics in the district, etc. Thereby, the Organization Board wishes to spread and honor the value of the Ba Ba shirt".

Mr. Nguyen Phu, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Model Association, Director of Tay Do Model Company, Head of the contest jury, shared: "Contestants know how to coordinate Ba Ba shirts with accessories very well. It can be a bandana, a conical hat, a bunch of rice, a bunch of lotus, etc., which can make the contestants’ performances elegant and graceful. This contest has truly highlighted the wonderful beauty of the Ba Ba shirt."

Musician Tran Thien Thanh composed "The Ba Ba Shirt" with poetic opening lyrics: "The Ba Ba Shirt is on the deep river. A small and slender boat appears. (A girl or a woman is wearing) a tilted conical hat. Her long hair is like falling water…". The fact that whenever mentioning Can Tho, people often think about images of long-haired girls or women wearing Ba Ba shirts and rowing canoes on the river. That cute "default" makes Can Tho more charming - the charm of the Ba Ba shirt.