Ao Dai Bao Han — Attraction in San Jose

Buyer Beware of this deceptive store owner! For your wallet and services rendered, avoid at all costs. If you choose to go with this store (do not recommend that you do), do not take their (his) word at all, and get every detail on the contract signed by the owner, or refuse their services.

My experience, I am sure like many others, was being brought here by a family member on the recommendation of this store’s reviews. Upon trying several Ao Dai, we decided that the best option for myself (given I would not be renting) is to get a custom Ao Dai made. After conversing with the owner about the details, I outlined the importance that the Ao Dai have a custom applique to match my wife’s dress that was made by a separate tailor given she is in Canada. I provided a photo example of the applique that I desired, along with the additional request for custom buttons. After paying a hefty price tag, I thought that it might be justified with the understanding that it was to be custom tailored, have custom buttons, and a custom applique. The last point, to my demise, was omitted on the contract.

Fast forward several weeks when the Ao Dai arrived from Vietnam, where it was manufactured. I received a generic blue Ao Dai with an applique that matched (identical) to a generic version in the shop that I tried on. Photos attached for proof [light blue is version received; dark blue is version first tried on in store]. Fortunately my family member came along, who also pointed out that the buttons were not at all custom, to which the owner did agree, and refunded that part of the purchase.

I cannot help feel swindled, such that I got a generic Ao Dai that I paid top dollar for that was manufactured in Vietnam, likely with no knowledge from the owner to its manufacturing process. It was not custom in appearance in any way, but did fit just fine. Therefore, if you would like to pay $$$ for a generic Ao Dai with an owner who operates based on contractual omission, this store is for you. I hope this review helps those who read it as an example of why you should avoid this store. The owner also informed me that many orders come in online, so if that is you, you will probably be in an even worse position than myself.

Also, owner made false comment in response :

"Then a couple weeks later you and your in-law came to place the order, even at the point of completing the order write up your in-law and you had differences on the designs and you raised your voice at her."

In actuality, you were extremely rude to my family member over the phone upon reading my review, as she describes it. My fiancé and I and to console her based on your...

You will not find more beautiful and unique dresses than from Ao Dai Bao Han. My (now) husband and I found Michael (the owner) back in July 2017 after looking for engagement/Dam Hoi dresses in the Bay Area. We tried several dressmakers in SF and San Jose, but Ao Dai Bao Han stood out, by far, as the best. Michael’s service has been outstanding since the moment we walked into his store. He has been patient, kind, accommodating, and has a sharp eye for finding the right dress to match your style, fit, and taste.

My journey to find a wedding dress was a long one, but ultimately I found the perfect wedding dress at Ao Dai Bao Han. I always knew what I had in mind -- an Ao Dai-inspired east-meets-west gown. After visiting over 50+ Ao Dai places in Saigon, Hue, Hanoi, Dorchester/Boston, and the Bay Area, I kept on thinking back to the dresses I had seen at Ao Dai Bao Han. I was living in Boston at the time and couldn’t fly across country to visit San Jose, so I called Michael and we started working on what ultimately turned out to be a stunning, elegant dress that met my exact wishes. Even though I had a hard time articulating exactly what I wanted, Michael was able to deliver beyond my expectations. He was able to synthesize my random thoughts about style, fit, and color, into a dress that was truly stunning.

As a quick aside -- in the weeks leading up to my wedding in Texas, I gained some weight (let’s blame the stress of wedding planning). When I received the dress from Michael, it was beautiful but it didn’t fit quite right. I was in Texas with my family at the time working on last-minute wedding planning, so I called Michael, told him what happened, and he immediately jumped on a Skype call with me and my parents. He actually stayed on the call with us and helped us take all new measurements live. During that call, my parents pointed out how beautiful the first dress was, so they recommended that in addition to getting a new wedding dress, I should get a reception dress too. Michael went immediately to work in making me not one, but two, dresses in the span of two weeks.

You read that right -- he made me two new dresses in two weeks.

The dresses arrived less than a week before the wedding and they were stunningly beautiful. My wedding dress was the perfect fusion of pure white Ao Dai with hints of a traditional American wedding dress. The reception dress was elegant, clean, and easy to dance in.

Overall, the dresses were perfect. If you are in the market for a dress for a wedding, dam hoi, or just a special occasion, look no further than Ao...

downright horrible and insulting experience! I came there to pick out new year dresses, and I went out feeling like they insulted my mom. from the moment we went in, we didn't ask any questions because we didn't need help yet. immediately this young woman with long eyelash extensions tells us the section we're looking at is probably too decorative and expensive. Okay?? Are you saying that these are too bridal. Judging on the design, that's not what you meant. I think you should let your customer look at what they want. You only have one other party in the whole shop. this guy (probably the store owner) comes over ( we again did not reach out for "help") and he tells my mom in vietnamese, "the reason why our dresses are so expensive is because we don't buy them from Vietnam." Okay?? who was questioning you about why they were so expensive?? If I wanted to, I could have bought any price point I wanted to. And why are you saying that in a condescending way to my mom? In vietnamese, and not to me?? It's hard to explain what happened, but they probably thought we're not good enough for their dresses. Basically, do not bring the people who raised you there because they will literally disrespect them in front of your eyes. They will profile you right away, and this is not some Gucci store or top line steakhouse. Are their dresses cuter than average? Yes. But, their dresses do not do justice to the 500 to 600 range, especially when we found one that looked like it was already worn and it was falling apart at the seems. The threads were frayed, the shoulder pulled off, so you were selling a second hand dress in this apparently boutique shop. If you feel the need to out of the blue defend your price point, you are not the Louis Vuitton of the aoi dai world. I'm really telling you, you will literally be paying a lot of money to people who expect you to beg them to buy product. They don't have set prices pet dress, which means they price discriminate by assessing the person. Anything in the 100-200 range looks significantly lower in quality. They don't have the right business sense for their customer, and I will not be surprised if they close a year from now. For the talented person producing the dresses, please hire new salespeople. I will never be coming back here, and dear reader, you shouldn't either.

RESPONSE YO REPLY: denying that this never happened is not an appropriate response in customer service. I hope the clarity of this review and it's detail will be enough to show a very real person with a very real...