In the present-day Vietnam, instead of wearing the robe and mortar hat, Vietnamese students wear áo dài at graduation ceremonies.
It is widely believed that feminine values of modesty and refined mannerism would be taken up by those wearing áo dài: “Something which must be noted about the áo dài of Vietnamese women is its ‘soul.’
people forced female pupils from sixth to twelfth grade to wear the áo dài as a uniform. The goal was to train girls in a modest, cautious, and refined manner in their dress and their bearing, so that they can become young Vietnamese women of grace and politeness.”