How was the áo dài uniform revived in school?
Twenty years ago, Đàm Thị Ngọc Thơ, then principal of Hồ Thị Kỷ High School, created a stir in the town of Cà Mau at the southernmost tip of the Mekong Delta. Thơ announced a school regulation in 1983 to reintroduce the traditional white áo dài as a uniform for girl students.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us demonstrate beauty and equality in our socialist school," she told an audience of more than 800 parents. "I believe I'm right. Otherwise, the Communist Party will discipline me."
One provincial officer even accused Thơ of being bourgeois. He and others believed the áo dài (popular under the former Sài Gòn regime) was a remnant of the past. The flowing dress had nearly disappeared after South Việt Nam was liberated in 1975. Thơ's critics felt that modern students shouldn't waste their money on clothing and detergent. Even one of Thơ's best friends expected the decision to be withdraw within a year. However, after the principal finished her speech, the audience sat silently for a few seconds. Suddenly, everyone started clapping. Thơ was so happy that she burst into tears.
Even today, her memories of struggling for the áo dài remain fresh in her mind. She recalls that in 1981, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Bình, then Minister of Education and Training, visited Cà Mau. She advised the teachers to create an equal and disciplinary educational environment for the children.
"I had many poor pupils who studied very hard. They wore patched clothes, so they never socialised with their rich schoolmates", she recalls.
Thơ lay awake many nights thinking about the áo dài. In those days, the dress cost little more than the students' ordinary clothes. One áo dài could last a schoolgirl two years, she reasoned. With such uniforms, her pupils would appear equal, and the school would flourish with beauty.
Thơ an her colleagues lobbied intensely before the uniform was actually accepted in the schools. Thơ submitted articles to the local newspapers. She explained the benefits of an áo dài uniform and sought the support of local educational authorities. The teachers even wore their own áo dài to set an example for their students. They also met with the students' parents and asked the latter to save their money to buy áo dài. In some cases, the school's Trade Union provided dresses for those who couldn't afford them.
As a result of these persistent efforts, Hồ Thị Kỷ High School approved a dress code for the 1983-1984 school year. Rumours and criticisms waned. Other neighbouring schools began to adopt the same practice. Within 7 years, the áo dài was officially recognised as the most beautiful uniform for school girls in Việt Nam.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, let us demonstrate beauty and equality in our socialist school," she told an audience of more than 800 parents. "I believe I'm right. Otherwise, the Communist Party will discipline me."
One provincial officer even accused Thơ of being bourgeois. He and others believed the áo dài (popular under the former Sài Gòn regime) was a remnant of the past. The flowing dress had nearly disappeared after South Việt Nam was liberated in 1975. Thơ's critics felt that modern students shouldn't waste their money on clothing and detergent. Even one of Thơ's best friends expected the decision to be withdraw within a year. However, after the principal finished her speech, the audience sat silently for a few seconds. Suddenly, everyone started clapping. Thơ was so happy that she burst into tears.
Even today, her memories of struggling for the áo dài remain fresh in her mind. She recalls that in 1981, Mrs. Nguyễn Thị Bình, then Minister of Education and Training, visited Cà Mau. She advised the teachers to create an equal and disciplinary educational environment for the children.
"I had many poor pupils who studied very hard. They wore patched clothes, so they never socialised with their rich schoolmates", she recalls.
Thơ lay awake many nights thinking about the áo dài. In those days, the dress cost little more than the students' ordinary clothes. One áo dài could last a schoolgirl two years, she reasoned. With such uniforms, her pupils would appear equal, and the school would flourish with beauty.
Thơ an her colleagues lobbied intensely before the uniform was actually accepted in the schools. Thơ submitted articles to the local newspapers. She explained the benefits of an áo dài uniform and sought the support of local educational authorities. The teachers even wore their own áo dài to set an example for their students. They also met with the students' parents and asked the latter to save their money to buy áo dài. In some cases, the school's Trade Union provided dresses for those who couldn't afford them.
As a result of these persistent efforts, Hồ Thị Kỷ High School approved a dress code for the 1983-1984 school year. Rumours and criticisms waned. Other neighbouring schools began to adopt the same practice. Within 7 years, the áo dài was officially recognised as the most beautiful uniform for school girls in Việt Nam.
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