Unlike K-12 schools, everyday is a free dress day for students of most universities and junior colleges in Ho Chi Minh City, but this rule does not seem as great as it is made out to be in the face of students who take underdressing to a new level.

Thuc Quynh, a 19-year-old college student in Thu Duc City under the jurisdiction of Ho Chi Minh City, said that students jump at the chance to make themselves stand out from their peers since her school has no dress code.

Many female students, including Quynh, would often change up their looks with miniskirts, or shorts that end above the knee.

Some students have even taken to wearing crop tops or tank tops with low-rise jeans in order to show off their waist and hips.

Going to the other side of the spectrum, however, some students cite the lack of a dress code as grounds to be underdressed.

According to Quynh, pajamas are not a rare sight on campus, when asked for a reason these students simply claimed they have no time to get ready in the morning.

Quynh herself admitted that she once went to school dressed in only yoga apparel with a jacket hastily thrown over it.

In her opinion, wearing various kinds of clothing is a way for students to accommodate their active lifestyle as well as a form of self-expression.

Ha Mi, also 19 years old, currently pursuing tertiary education in Binh Thanh District of Ho Chi Minh City, shared that she enjoys wearing dresses to school not for their beauty, but because they are comfortable and convenient.

Her university often resembles a fashion show, with many students out and about on campus dressed to the nines, Mi remarked.

“I find that a diverse clothing culture on campus is preferable to everyone being forced to wear the exact same thing,” she opined.

“My friend from another university has also expressed her wish for a more casual dress code.

“Students nowadays should not have to listen to pointless drivel telling us to wear this or that.

“Everyone has the right to dress the way they like, as long as it is not too sloppy or titillating.”

“I was someone who studied and now I am pursuing a career in media,” said Hanh Nhu, 23 years old and working in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City.

“In my field of work, my superior rarely dictates my choice of clothing.

“As I see it, it is normal for students in the media major or other creative fields like me to dress freely.

“Clothing cannot decide who you are as a person.”

However, Nhu still advised young people like her to be careful not to wear overly revealing clothing, as it can cause unwanted misunderstandings.

The flip side of 'no dress code'

In Vy Nguyen’s opinion, students wearing pajamas to school make for an appalling sight, but not as much as this one girl whom she once saw wearing a low-rise tank top to the classroom.

“Anyone can dress up to make them seem more attractive, but it is more of a delicate matter with girls,” Vy said.

“Despite what everyone may think, the university campus is still a public space and not the runway.

“We should dress beautifully but also sensibly.”

By the account of L.H., who resides in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, while he and other boys used to ogle girls wearing miniskirts and sheer shirts at school, he would not like his girlfriend to dress this way.

Sporty and comfortable clothing is great but taken too far, these kinds of clothes can become an eyesore.

He once witnessed a girl who wore too short clothes to school, which resulted in her having to cover herself up with a jacket the entire time.

The awkward situation not only distracted her from her studies, but others around her as well.

“In my opinion, when picking appropriate apparel for the academic environment, students should aim for neat and not too revealing,” L.H. said

“I do not mean only for girls either.

“I have seen male students coming to school sporting bed heads, shorts, and flip flops, looking like they are ready for a day at the beach.

“Universities and junior colleges welcome individuality and self-expression as long as we do not make fools of ourselves.

“The nail that sticks out always gets hammered down.”

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!