1. Why do female students in Viet Nam have to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i to school?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Is it really necessary to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i as a uniform? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. \u00c1o d\u00e0i as an uniform and its inconveniences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Other countries in the world - Is it compulsory for female students there to wear traditional costumes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Viet Nam and the conception of wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i as school uniform<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. \u00c1o d\u00e0i: a national tradition or a shackle on women?<\/strong> Why do female students in Vietnam have to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i to school?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For decades, \u00e1o d\u00e0i has been an epitome of Vietnamese traditional culture. Nowadays, various schools in a number of local regions all over the country have ordered that \u00e1o d\u00e0i become school uniforms for female students. This decision not only aims to establish order and discipline at school but also preserve the country\u2019s cultural tradition. In addition, wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i to school is widely deemed a way to honor the elegance and beauty of Vietnamese women. In Viet Nam, schools have been using collared dress shirts and trousers as students' uniforms. Alternatives to cultivate order and discipline in school apart from wearing white \u00e1o d\u00e0i are manifold, such as collared dress shirts, trousers, and skirts. Moreover, a shirt together with a pair of trousers is a choice of uniform that is more convenient, efficient, suitable for all students than \u00e1o d\u00e0i. They are convenient for movement, easy to wash and affordable for the financial condition of many families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mr. \u0110\u0103ng C\u01b0 V\u00f5, vice principal of H\u00f9ng V\u01b0\u01a1ng High School (Qu\u1ea3ng Nam Province), shared, \u201cPersonally, I encourage female students to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i since, at their age, they need to be educated about the traditions of our nation.\u201d However, there are many other ways to maintain national identity. What is the point of upholding tradition by \u201cforcing\u201d female students to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i, which can interfere with their studies? And if it was to preserve tradition then why only female students had to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i but male students were not required to do so?<\/p>\n\n\n\n As regards this issue, Mr. Vi\u1ebft \u0110\u0103ng Du Nguy\u1ec5n, a teacher at L\u00ea Qu\u00fd \u0110\u00f4n High School (District 3, H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh City), analyzed: \u201cFirstly, having male students wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i would raise additional cost for their parents. Secondly, \u00e1o d\u00e0i is to honor the beauty of women with attractive curvy features, which does not apply to male students.\u201d However, this opinion only touched on financial issues for male students while ignoring that for their female counterparts, leading to gender inequality. Making \u00e1o d\u00e0i, be it for male or female students, will cost an extra. If a uniform is required, then it should be applied to both two genders, or neither of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, the opinion that wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i is to \u201chonor attractive features\u201d of women is also controversial. Some are concerned that this is \u201csexualizing\u201d young girls, especially in middle and high schools, where almost all female students are still adolescents. As a result, the opinion of Mr. Nguy\u1ec5n was also questioned over its appropriateness, given it came from a teacher.\u00a0 \u00c1o d\u00e0i as a uniform and its inconveniences<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from the cultural and aesthetic values, \u00e1o d\u00e0i also causes inconveniences for female students when worn as a school uniform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i hinders female students\u2019 mobility. Many female students have to tie the two tails for ease of movement when playing with friends. Moreover, most students in Vietnam go to school by bike or motorbike. The number of traffic accidents caused by \u00e1o d\u00e0i is far from insignificant. In 2016, fashion designer \u0110\u1ee9c H\u00f9ng B\u00f9i shared the story of his high school daughter who had an accident as the tails of her \u00e1o d\u00e0i got stuck in the motorbike. He explained that because his daughter didn\u2019t tie up the tail of \u00e1o d\u00e0i, she fell into the ground, broke her helmet, and scraped herself while her \u00e1o d\u00e0i was in tatters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Second, \u00e1o d\u00e0i may become a nightmare if worn under inclement weather. With long, tight-fitting tails, wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i on a hot weather day will make it worse for female students. Additionally, the white color is prone to staining, and thin cloth is highly water-absorbent and thus revealing underwear; the following reasons make \u00e1o d\u00e0i uncomfortable to wear during heavy rain or on period days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Third, that schools require \u00e1o d\u00e0i as a uniform also means students\u2019 families have to put aside a non-negligible amount of money for uniforms. The average cost of a white \u00e1o d\u00e0i ranges from 700,000 VND to over 1 million VND, including the cost of fabric and labor. For financially hard-pressed families, this expense can be a financial burden in raising their children. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fourth, not all female students feel comfortable wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i. It is well-known that the design of \u00e1o d\u00e0i embraces body curves, which inadvertently imposes strict standards on women. A beautiful girl must have a feminine, gentle beauty and \u201ca graceful body with pronounced curves\u201d. This creates many obstacles for female students whose appearance does not fit the stereotype of beauty standards. As a result, many female students fall victim to body shaming, leading to mental problems.\u00a0 Other countries in the world - Is it compulsory for female students there to wear traditional costumes?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n School uniform is a familiar concept in many countries, but its approach and meaning vary according to culture, history, and educational philosophy. In Japan, \"seifuku\" for female students (a uniform with short-sleeved sailor shirt and pleated skirt) and \"gakuran\" for male students (military style stand-up collar blazer and trousers) have become an icon in popular culture. As per Asahi Shimbun<\/em> , one of Japan's most prestigious newspapers, these uniforms date back to the Meiji era, late 19th century, when the country adopted Western practices to modernize education. The prime goal was bringing about uniformity, bridging the gap between rich and poor, and cultivating discipline. On the contrary, in France, Germany and the US, the educational philosophy promoting personal freedom is prevalent. According to Le Monde<\/em> On the contrary, in France, Germany and the US, the educational philosophy promoting personal freedom is prevalent. According to Le Monde (September 12, 2018), uniforms were once popular among French public schools in the early 20th century, but were abolished in 1968 after the student movement for freedom of speech. Today, French students take the liberty in choosing their own clothes, with the exception in some private schools. In the US, uniforms are not compulsory in the majority of public schools. As per National Center for Education Statistics's 2022 data<\/em> only about 20% of public schools require uniforms, mainly to ensure security and ease the pressure on fashion. Similar practices take place in Germany, where the freedom of individuality expression through clothing is supported. Whether there is uniform or not, the primary objective of the aforementioned countries is to create the best learning environment for students, their future leaders. By this token, uniform designs should be based on simplicity, modernity, and suitability to school activities, rather than on tradition. Consequently, this questions the motives behind Vietnam's choice of a traditional costume, \u00e1o d\u00e0i, as the uniform for female students whilst the others give precedence to convenience and gender neutrality. Vietnam and the conception of wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i as school uniform<\/strong> It is undeniable that \u00e1o d\u00e0i is an indispensable part of Vietnamese culture. According to an article in Nh\u00e2n D\u00e2n Newspaper<\/em> (October 20, 2020), \u00e1o d\u00e0i is considered a \"national costume\" despite there being no official legal document recognizing it. Schoolgirls in \u00e1o d\u00e0i has become a poetic beauty, praised in works of literature and art, from Nguy\u1ec5n Khuy\u1ebfn's verses to Tr\u1ecbnh C\u00f4ng S\u01a1n's lyrics. \u00e1o d\u00e0i is described through the unadorned pen of Nguy\u1ec5n Khuy\u1ebfn as silk flaps fluttering in the wind, capturing the gentleness and purity of Vietnamese women. Likewise, \u00e1o d\u00e0i in the poignant melodies of Tr\u1ecbnh C\u00f4ng S\u01a1n flows in drizzles, eternally etched on the memory of school days. Far from solely a symbol of beauty, \u00e1o d\u00e0i is the connection between the past and the present, the tradition and the timeless stirring for art.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n \u2013 Cultural distinctiveness: Unlike Japan\u2019s seifuku or South Korea\u2019s gyobok\u2014which are specifically designed for school settings\u2014the ao dai is a traditional garment deeply rooted in national identity. This makes it not merely a school uniform, but also a cultural symbol entrusted to the younger generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 Practicality: With its ankle-length design, form-fitting silhouette, and high slits, the ao dai is not truly suitable for physical activities in school settings such as running, sports, or manual tasks. In contrast, school uniforms in Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom are designed to optimize comfort and ease of movement for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An article by Thanh Ni\u00ean Newspaper<\/em> (March 5, 2023) revealed that wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i all day long in the hot weather of Vietnam is deemed a challenge by many female students, not to mention the difficulties related to cycling and attending PE classes, thus turning it into an \"obligation\" rather than a sensible choice. In many countries that have school uniforms, gender flexibility has gained significant attention in recent years. According to The Japan Times<\/em> (2019, June 10), several Japanese schools have allowed female students to choose between skirts and trousers to ensure comfort and equality. South Korea has witnessed a similar trend, with many schools permitting female students to wear trousers instead of skirts during winter. In the UK, schools have also started implementing gender-neutral uniform policy, allowing students to freely choose between skirts and trousers regardless of their gender, as The Guardian<\/em> reported (2017, September 15). This flexibility not only brings comfort but also reflects a progressive spirit in respecting individuality and eliminating gender stereotypes in education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, school uniform regulations in Vietnam reveal an evident gender inequality. Female students are required to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i\u2014a garment that requires modesty and elegance, while, at times, causing inconvenience\u2014while their male peers only need to wear shirts and trousers, with simple designs that support mobility. According to an article on B\u00e1o Gi\u00e1o d\u1ee5c & Th\u1eddi \u0111\u1ea1i<\/em> (2022, March 8), many argue that this reflects a traditional mindset that views women as symbols of \"beauty\" and \"identity,\" whereas men are not subjected to the same pressure. This raises a question: Is the mandatory requirement for female students to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i truly a tradition, or is it merely a norm established from the male perspective, where women are burdened with the role of being \u201csymbols\u201d rather than given the right to choose?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Mandating wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i can be seen as a form of gender stereotyping. Beautiful as it is, \u00e1o d\u00e0i inadvertently restricts the freedom of female students in the school environment, while male students do not face any comparable constraints. This leads to a reality where tradition, if not adjusted to fit contemporary times, becomes a tool that perpetuates inequality rather than honoring cultural values. To better understand \u00e1o d\u00e0i, we must look back at its origins and evolution. According to Culture Newspaper (B\u00e1o V\u0103n h\u00f3a)<\/em> (2023, October 10), the precursor of \u00e1o d\u00e0i is \u00e1o giao l\u0129nh, a simple garment with a cross-collared and loose-fitting design, prevalent during the L\u00fd-Tr\u1ea7n dynasties between the 11th and 14th century. In 1744, during the Nguy\u1ec5n Dynasty, Lord Nguy\u1ec5n Ph\u00fac Kho\u00e1t reformed \u00e1o giao l\u0129nh into \u00e1o ng\u0169 th\u00e2n, with five flaps symbolizing the Confucian virtues of \"Ren\u201d (kindness), \u201cYi\u201d (decorum), \u201cLi\u201d (uprightness), \u201cZhi\u201d (wisdom), and \u201cXin\u201d (faithfulness). This marked a significant milestone in the history of the Vietnamese \u00e1o d\u00e0i.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the modern \u00e1o d\u00e0i we know today has been greatly influenced by Western fashion. According to B\u00e1o Tu\u1ed5i Tr\u1ebb<\/em> (2022, June 15), in the 1930s, artist Nguy\u1ec5n C\u00e1t T\u01b0\u1eddng, also known as Le Mur, modernized \u00e1o ng\u0169 th\u00e2n into \u00e1o d\u00e0i t\u00e2n th\u1eddi (modern \u00e1o d\u00e0i), featuring a tighter fit, high slits, and puffed sleeves, which was inspired by European gowns. By the 1960s, the Raglan-style \u00e1o d\u00e0i, with diagonal sleeve seams, was introduced in Saigon, reducing wrinkles at the underarms and enhancing aesthetics. Thus, \u00e1o d\u00e0i is not a \"purely Vietnamese\" garment fixed in time but rather a product of cultural fusion over centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c1o d\u00e0i t\u00e2n th\u1eddi is not necessarily an \u201cage-old\u201d cultural beauty closely tied to Vietnamese adolescents and students for centuries. It is a product of cultural fusion between the West and the East, emerging only in the 20th century. Viewing \u00e1o d\u00e0i as a long-held cultural symbol and mandating female students to wear it as uniform to \u201cpreserve tradition\u201d is not entirely convincing, since the history of \u00e1o d\u00e0i itself demonstrates its constant transformation and adaptation, rather than being an immutable heritage. Instead of imposing it, encouraging people to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i should be considered as a way to honor the creativity and flexibility of Vietnamese culture. For instance, organizing special events where students can wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i voluntarily, or promoting it as a fashion choice in daily life, would not only preserve its beauty, but also align with the modern spirit without being restrictive. Although \u00e1o d\u00e0i is a national pride, its mandatory use in schools raises several concerns. If \u00e1o d\u00e0i truly represents Vietnamese identity, why is it only women\u2014especially female students\u2014that are required to wear it, while men rarely have to wear the male version in similar contexts? According to B\u00e1o Ph\u1ee5 n\u1eef Vi\u1ec7t Nam<\/em> (2021, March 8), some cultural studies researchers argue that this is a remnant of feudal thinking, in which women are seen as \"keepers of tradition,\" while men are granted more freedom of choice. The imposition of \u00e1o d\u00e0i on female students further underscores a broader issue\u2014the shaping of women's roles and images in society. \u00e1o d\u00e0i has long been hailed as \"the beauty of Vietnamese women\" with its soft, graceful contours. However, when it becomes a mandatory standard, the individual choice and freedom of women are restricted. These limitations not only affect the confidence of female students but also reinforce outdated stereotypes that hamper the independent and creative development of younger generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A progressive culture is not one that imposes, but one that respects individual freedom. The compulsory wearing of \u00e1o d\u00e0i does not necessarily enhance its cultural value; rather, it may alienate young people from it. A survey by VnExpress<\/em> (2023, March 10) reveals that more than 60% of interviewed female students expressed appreciation for the \u00e1o d\u00e0i but did not want to wear it daily due to its inconvenience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To ensure that \u00e1o d\u00e0i truly retains its cultural meaning, it should be made a voluntary choice\u2014a way for youths to express their love for tradition rather than a rigid requirement in education. As Vietnamese people, we cherish \u00e1o d\u00e0i not just for its beauty but also for its historical and cultural values. However, these values shine most brightly when \u00e1o d\u00e0i is worn out of willingness rather than obligation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of restricting \u00e1o d\u00e0i to school uniforms, we could promote its use during festivals, cultural events, or even in everyday fashion. Designers such as Minh H\u1ea1nh and S\u0129 Ho\u00e0ng have demonstrated that \u00e1o d\u00e0i can be modernized\u2014from short-sleeved versions to those paired with wide-leg trousers\u2014preserving tradition while adapting to modern lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c1o d\u00e0i is an inseparable part of Vietnamese culture, yet its role in education needs reconsideration. Compared to school uniforms in other countries, \u00e1o d\u00e0i stands out for its cultural distinctiveness, but it also exposes concerns over practicality and gender equality. \u00c1o d\u00e0i should be celebrated as a source of pride, not a burden, especially for the younger generations of Vietnam. M\u1edbi \u0111\u00e2y, s\u1ef1 vi\u1ec7c Tr\u01b0\u1eddng THPT Marie Curie (Qu\u1eadn 3, TP. H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh) c\u1ed9ng tr\u1eeb \u0111i\u1ec3m theo gi\u1edbi t\u00ednh nam n\u1eef khi tham gia \u0111\u1ed3ng di\u1ec5n \u00e1o d\u00e0i \u0111\u00e3 g\u00e2y ra m\u1ed9t l\u00e0n s\u00f3ng tranh c\u00e3i kh\u1eafp c\u1ed9ng \u0111\u1ed3ng m\u1ea1ng. C\u1ee5 th\u1ec3, theo th\u00f4ng b\u00e1o c\u1ee7a nh\u00e0 tr\u01b0\u1eddng, t\u1ea5t c\u1ea3 n\u1eef sinh b\u1eaft bu\u1ed9c […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3647","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-women-and-literature"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3647","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3647"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3647\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4590,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3647\/revisions\/4590"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3647"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3647"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vnsfemaleassociation.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3647"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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Is it really necessary to wear \u00e1o d\u00e0i as a uniform?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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In a 2023 survey by Women in Education (WIE) conducted on 2,000 high school female students in H\u1ed3 Ch\u00ed Minh city, up to 68% shared that they felt uncomfortable or inconvenienced wearing \u00e1o d\u00e0i everyday. Apart from difficulties in physical activities such as moving along the stairs or partaking in PE classes, 54% female students admitted to experiencing awkward situations due to entangled \u00e1o d\u00e0i, which considerably affected their mental health and self-confidence. The conflict between cultural pride and inconveniences in daily life has sparked multiple debates, especially when put in comparison with other countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Korea also has the same approach with the \"Gyobok\" set - usually a shirt, vest or sweater, combined with skirt or trousers. According to an article in Korea Herald<\/em> (October 15, 2020), uniforms in Korea are not only practical but also reflect the collective spirit, a core value in this country's society. Meanwhile, in the UK, school uniforms (usually shirts, sweaters, skirts or pants) came from renowned state schools such as Eton or Harrow since the 16th century, with the goal of building a professional and unified image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nSimilarities and differences<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00c1o d\u00e0i: A cultural symbol<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Be that as it may, compared to school uniforms in other countries, \u00e1o d\u00e0i differs noticeably:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nCultural imposition compared to other countries?<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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\u00c1o d\u00e0i: a national tradition or a shackle on women?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe history and transformation of \u00e1o d\u00e0i<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen tradition becomes a tool of oppression<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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