LSDS 1956, issue 10 Vietnamese Costume for Bleuette and Rosette

 

Rosette wears the national costume of Vietnam

I was curious why the editors of LSDS chose to add this costume to Bleuette and Rosette's wardrobe, so I looked up what was happening in Vietnam in 1956.  France had already relinquished its control of Vietnam in 1954, after the country had fought an 8-year war and been divided at the 17th parallel into north and south.  But in 1956, there was to be an election to determine the future of the two halves of Vietnam.  I'm sure the nation of France viewed this with interest.  Unfortunately, the nation remained divided, the election was cancelled, and things did not go so well after that, as many of us remember.  But today, vintage Rosette wears this cotton batik/rayon satin version of the national costume, Ao Dai.