(Baonghean.vn) - When people think of shoe repairmen, they usually picture men diligently tapping and sewing in a corner of the market. However, in Vinh City, there are women who have taken over this job from men. Some of these women have been making a living this way for decades, and they even have a better reputation than their male counterparts. They jokingly say that their work is "upgrading" the feet.
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| These are all women in their 50s. For decades, they've gone to their "shops" at 6 a.m. to repair shoes. They work there through lunchtime, bringing their own meals to eat on the spot, and return home when the streetlights come on. |
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| Pictured is Mrs. Nguyen Thi Phu, 54 years old, residing in Le Mao ward. She is the most experienced among the women working as shoe repairers at Vinh market. Mrs. Phu started the profession when she was only 24 years old and has continued in it until now. |
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| Although not publicly listed, the labor costs are calculated uniformly by everyone: Polishing shoes costs 10,000 VND, re-soling costs 15,000 VND, and sewing shoes costs 10,000 - 20,000 VND. |
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| Ms. Pham Thi Thai, 55 years old, is the most disadvantaged among the women who repair shoes in the Vinh market area. Her husband is ill, and she has been earning a living for her family alone through this profession since 1990. |
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| Ms. Pham Thi Lan, Ms. Thai's younger sister, also has over 20 years of experience repairing shoes and sandals at Vinh Market. |
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| Ms. Lan is also considered one of the most skilled professionals in this field. Her clients are mostly long-time acquaintances. |
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| Among the women who repair shoes and sandals at Vinh Market, Ms. Ngo Thi Chung is the youngest at 30 years old. Ms. Chung has even been dubbed the "beauty queen" of shoe repair. She has been doing this job for 8 years now. |
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| Besides tools like needles and thread, glue, hammers, and shoe polish, these old shoes and sandals also become "raw materials" for the trade. |
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Their customers are usually people with average incomes or students. |
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| Rain or shine, the women repairing shoes and sandals are regularly present at the market. Shoes and sandals that seemed to be completely ruined are transformed into shiny, beautiful ones by their skillful hands. As long as life still requires it, they remain committed to the work they have chosen to make a living. |
Tian Tian
