A series of novel bis(phenoxy)naphthalene-containing polyamides having inherent viscosity up to 2.02 dL/g were synthesized by the direct polycondensation of the diamine 1,7-bis(4-aminophenoxy)naphthalene with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Most of the polyamides could be readily dissolved in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and NMP, and could be solution-cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 139-263 degrees C, and 10% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air were above 499 and 484 degrees C, respectively.