Invisible Women of Saigon

When I first arrived in Saigon I was struck by bizarre sight of strange apparitions riding half the motorbikes streaming through the city streets.  These figures were covered from head to toe -- gloves, socks under sandals, scarves over the face, sunglasses and floppy hats.  "Holy cow, invisible women have swarmed into Saigon!"

[Invisible Man, at right.  The resemblance is uncanny.]

Vietnamese women prize pale skin.  They go to great lengths to protect themselves from the sun's rays.  One friend of mine told me that a saleswoman in his office refused to come back from an office visit one afternoon. "Why?" he asked her.  "The sun is too shiny!" she replied.
 
At night the gloves come off, so to speak.  Out come the minis and revealing dresses, but only for girls who live a fast lifestyle.  Most Vietnamese women are quite modest and conservative. 

Oddly, pale skin is prized for women, but not for men.  I'm not sure, but It doesn't seem to matter much what shade a man's skin.  Any Vietnamese members of My Public care to, ahem, shed some light on the subject?