Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, a period widely regarded as the golden age of traditional Vietnamese attire, the story serves as a vivid re-enactment of the áo dài era. This narrative weaves together the evolution of style and fashion across different time periods, centered around the life of Miss Ba. Through this lens, the audience is presented with a nostalgic vision of Saigon in the 1960s and 70s, portraying a city filled with honest, gentle women—a stark, serene contrast to the frantic energy of the modern metropolis. This atmospheric journey is intricately tied to the complex dynamics between two families, the bonds between mothers and daughters, and the professional rivalry and passion found within a fabric shop and a tailor house.
In 1969, the Thanh Nu tailor house stood as the most prestigious establishment in all of Saigon. For nine generations, the family had dedicated their entire existence to the art of tailoring the áo dài. The house was managed by Veronica Ngo as Thanh Mai, who had two daughters: her biological daughter, Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc as Như Ý, and her adopted daughter, Oanh Kiều as Young Thanh Loan. While Thanh Loan possessed a deep passion for the traditional craft, Như Ý harbored a disdain for it, viewing the áo dài as old-fashioned and lacking in creative variety. Instead, Như Ý was obsessed with designing Westernized outfits. Despite the constant guidance and advice from Thanh Mai to master the traditional art, Như Ý remained stubborn in her pursuit of Western style.
The turning point occurs when Thanh Mai utilizes a rare, ancestral piece of fabric to craft an exquisite áo dài. Upon discovering that her own name was embroidered into the garment, Như Ý decides to try it on. However, the moment she dons the dress, a magical piece of jade attached to the fabric transports her instantly from 1969 to the year 2017.
Upon arriving in the future, Như Ý literally falls upon Hồng Vân as An Khánh (who is actually the future version of Như Ý), just as An Khánh is attempting to commit suicide. This collision causes the magical jade to detach from the garment. Như Ý is left in a state of shock, discovering that the once-famous Thanh Nu tailor house has been closed and that the Saigon she knew has been transformed into a modernized city. She is devastated to learn the truth about her future self: after the death of Thanh Mai, An Khánh had heartlessly forced Thanh Loan to leave the family home so that she could open a Western-style tailor shop. This venture failed miserably, leading An Khánh into a spiral of alcoholism.
In contrast, Thanh Loan had successfully established her own business focusing on the traditional áo dài and had raised two children: Diễm My 9x as Helen and S.T Sơn Thạch as Tuấn. While Helen became a renowned fashion designer, Tuấn worked within Helen's company.
Helen agrees to help An Khánh retain the family house, but she imposes a condition: Như Ý must work for her in exchange. Initially, Như Ý is relegated to the role of a cleaner, while Tuấn kindly helps her navigate the complexities of modern life. When the company requires designs inspired by the 1960s—an area where An Khánh possesses expertise—she steps in to assist Helen. Impressed by the inherent talent Như Ý displays, Helen eventually assigns her to the áo dài design department. This presents a massive challenge for Như Ý, as she must now conquer her lifelong hatred of the traditional dress and learn how to create it. Her goal shifts; she desires to tailor the áo dài using the traditional methods of the Thanh Nu house to restore its former reputation.
Seeking redemption, An Khánh reaches out to Diễm My as Old Thanh Loan to apologize and seek guidance on proper tailoring techniques. In a gesture of forgiveness, Thanh Loan provides An Khánh with an envelope containing a letter from the late Thanh Mai, which details the secret methods of áo dài tailoring. Together, An Khánh and Như Ý dedicate themselves to practicing the craft.
The climax arrives at a grand fashion event where a collection designed by Như Ý is showcased on the catwalk, featuring models such as Le Trang. As the show progresses, Helen attempts to secretly change the script to claim Như Ý's designs as her own. However, Tuấn catches her in the act and confronts her, urging her to reconsider her unethical decision. Ultimately, the show is a resounding success. During her speech, Như Ý expresses her heartfelt thoughts on the collection and publicly thanks Helen. Following this victory, the Thanh Nu tailor house is officially reopened.
In the final moments, Như Ý puts on the traditional áo dài with the magical jade attached. The jewel activates once more, transporting her back to 1969. Reuniting with her mother, she tearfully apologizes and proudly declares that she finally knows how to make the áo dài. The story concludes on a joyful note as mother and daughter dance together in harmony.
