There is a trend in Vietnam. Largely followed to a tee by
the nation’s hordes of young bike owning women. The trend in question? Covering
up.
Vietnamese girls seem to go to extreme lengths to escape Mr
Evil UV Ray. Hats, scarves, gloves reaching to the elbow, hoodies. Its 30C most
days, it seems a tad insane. A bit of Nivea Sun would do the trick wouldn’t it
girls?
Truth be told I feel sorry for them. As a Caucasian myself,
albeit one that suffers in epidermal measures, I feel lucky. Apparently white
is in. It’s a bit difficult to comprehend with a global history of white supremacy
and oppression seemingly drawing to a close. I’ve heard of India’s aesthetic
obsession with whiteness and purity, even Beyonce angered people with her
apparent whiteness in some modeling shots a while back. I didn’t know it had
permeated to Vietnam.
Not only is there societal pressure on girls to look white,
but it there is also this idea that appearance is everything. Men can appear as
slovenly and grotesque as they want in this country. Gender roles seem indeed
both rigid and unfair.
