Video from Vietnamese TV humorously depicting how commuters brave the sun.
Why Vietnamese People Look Like “Ninja” in the Hot Day & Some Necessary Notes For Tourists
When international travelers visit Vietnam on a hot day, a common and often intriguing sight is locals moving around with almost their entire bodies covered. They typically wear long-sleeved jackets, long pants, gloves, full-face masks, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hats. This style is sometimes playfully dubbed the “Ninja style.” However, this head-to-toe covering stems from practical and deeply cultural reasons.
SPECIAL OUTLINE
Get an immediate grasp of our article’s core and structure through these key highlights:
Decoding the “Ninja Style” Phenomenon: Introduce the widespread practice of extensive covering in hot weather and its underlying practical and cultural motivations.
Crucial UV Protection & Health Safeguards: Explain how covering up acts as an essential shield against Vietnam’s intense UV radiation, protecting skin from damage and health risks.
Cultural Beauty Standards & Fair Skin Preference: Delve into the significant role of fair skin as a beauty ideal, driving locals to meticulously protect themselves from tanning.
Practicality for Daily Life & Tourist Tips: Highlight the convenience of this style for everyday commuting and provide essential advice for international visitors on sun protection.
UNDERSTANDING VIETNAM’S “NINJA STYLE” REVEALS A BLEND OF PRACTICAL HEALTH CONCERNS, DEEP-SEATED CULTURAL BEAUTY STANDARDS, AND SMART ADAPTATION TO THE TROPICAL CLIMATE!
Now, let’s discover the practical reasons and cultural insights behind this fascinating Vietnamese habit!
1. Why Locals Cover Up So Much
This practice is a common daily habit deeply ingrained in Vietnamese life.
Intense UV Protection:
Vietnam is in a tropical climate zone. On any hot day, the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) rays is very high.
Direct exposure to strong sunlight can cause sunburn, skin tanning, premature aging (wrinkles, age spots), skin irritation, and notably, an increased risk of skin cancer.
Dressing defensively creates an effective physical “shield,” directly blocking the impact of UV rays on the skin.
Preference for Fair Skin:
In the aesthetic culture of Vietnam and many other Asian countries, fair skin is often considered a symbol of beauty and elegance.
This preference historically stems from a time when manual laborers, exposed to sun and wind, had darker skin, while those of higher social status could maintain fairer complexions.
Therefore, protecting the skin from tanning isn’t just about health; it’s a crucial aspect of maintaining beauty according to traditional notions.
Practical and Convenient for Daily Life:
For many locals, especially those who frequently travel by motorbike or work outdoors, extensive covering is a highly practical solution.
It provides continuous protection, unlike sunscreen that needs frequent reapplication and can wear off with sweat.
It’s also a way to adapt to commuting under the hot sun, particularly as motorbikes are the primary mode of transport.
Compared to constantly buying and applying sunscreen, investing in sun-protective clothing can be a more economical choice in the long run.
In summary, the “Ninja style” in Vietnam isn’t a strange fashion trend or related to any mysterious religious rituals. It’s a very practical measure for health protection and beauty preservation, widely adopted as a smart adaptation by locals to the harsh tropical climate.
NOTE: CONTRAST TO THIS PHENOMENON IMAGE OF “NINJA” – – “ÁO DÀI” IS THE UNIQUE TREASURE OF VIETNAM, PLEASE, CLICK HERE TO KNOW!
2. Travel Tips for International Visitors
When traveling to Vietnam, especially on hot days, don’t show surprise, discomfort, or amusement at this phenomenon. Instead, respect this local custom. It’s a practical and suitable choice for local life and the climate in Vietnam.
To protect yourself, when you’re out and about or traveling by motorbike in Vietnam, you should also consider bringing:
High-SPF sunscreen to apply on any exposed skin.
Appropriate protective gear like long-sleeved, lightweight jackets, sunglasses, and face masks (often called “bandanas” or “buffs”).
Good quality face masks are highly recommended for your health. They not only protect you from sun exposure but also from dust and air pollution, which can be significant in urban areas.
This is especially important on extremely hot days or when dealing with air pollution and dust in major cities.
Taking proactive steps to protect yourself will make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
Foreigners in Vietnam must also adhere to traffic laws and implement personal health protection measures.
NOTE: IF YOU WONDER AND ASK WHY TRAFFIC HERE IS SO CRAZY IN VIETNAM, PLEASE CLICK TO GET MORE ABOUT “VIETNAM IS MOTORBIKE KINGDOM”
