Advice given on what to WEAR to WARD OFF SICKNESS during TET

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By Dr PHUNG CHUC PHONG¹

   During Tet², many people pay more attention to being dressed attrac­tively than to being dressed comfortably, for they sometimes prefer good looks to warmth. Some young men wear only a well-pressed shirt under a light unlined acetate-nylon jacket (or a jacket made of a similar material), although they have quilted vest and winter-spring jacket. On quite cold days, when healthy people still have to wear quilted garments, one can find young women or girls wearing only a light-colored shirt (these naturally are attractive shirts). On colder days, many girls wear a winter-spring garment underneath their shirt, or a thin short-sleeved sweater over it, and avoid wearing quilted garments for fear of looking “too bulky” and thus less attractive. However, unfortunately the way they are dressed makes their face turn pale because of the wind and the cold weather and their body tremble, which altogether does not make them look attractive but rather affects their health. Therefore, in the early spring, more people get sick than in other times of the year. In addition to digestive system illnesses caused by overeating and insobriety, such respiratory diseases as pneumonia, lung congestion, cold, influenza, inflammation of the nose and throat, and bronchitis also are more common during Tet.

   Here I do not want to discuss the way of getting attractively dressed, for it is an entirely different matter. Besides, it depends on the taste and view of individuals. In my opinion, a “fashionable” suit must first be suitable for the current cold weather (i.e., it must provide warmth), the common view of our people, and thie present phase of the resistance against America for national salvation (i.e., one should be dressed in a simple and economical manner, avoiding anything too demanding, luxurious, and flashy). The garments worn in this season should be able to protect the wearers from the cold weather; therefore, while they must be clean, neat, and warm, they do not have to be new or tailored after any particular fashion.

ANNOTATE:
¹: Doctor PHUNG CHUC PHONG is the author of the article Science and Life — Clothes for Tet. Nhan Dan newspaper, Vietnamese, Hanoi, 13 February 1972, p.2.
   Nhân Dân (The People) is the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The newspaper was first published on March 11, 1951. Its predecessor was Sự Thật (“Truth”) newspaper, which was set up in the 1940s. Current Editor in Chief of Nhân Dân is Thuận Hữu. Nhân Dân online – en.nhandan.org.vn.
²:  Tet is the Vietnam Lunar New Year – this festival takes place from late January to mid February.

BAN TU THU
08 /2020

NOTES:
◊  Source:  Tranlations on North Vietnam, Wealth – Education – Welfare, No 1135, Joint Publication Resarch Service – Department of Commerce, United of America, 14/1/1972, p.74.
◊  All citations, italics texts and image sepiaized was set by BAN TU THU – thanhdiavietnamhoc.com.