HANOI: Comprised of recycled navy truck or plane tyres, Vietnam’s hand-made rubber sandals, the famously rugged footwear of the Viet Cong, have travelled huge distances over the a long time.
Within the bustling capital Hanoi, all types of sneakers are on sale: from $1,000 Gucci heels to $2 plastic slippers.
However for these searching for a nod to yesteryear, the hard-soled rubber sandals — evocative of the communist state’s resourcefulness underneath hearth — can be found at markets and small shops alike.
Dao Van Quang paid $8 for the standard pair at a store outdoors a Hanoi museum dedicated to the nation’s revolutionary chief — and devoted rubber sandal wearer — Ho Chi Minh.
“I wore rubber sandals once I was in school, within the Nineteen Eighties,” the 47-year-old from central Quang Nam province informed AFP.
“They’re of historic worth, straightforward to put on and look good.”
On the museum, the well-worn pair belonging to the previous North Vietnam president identified affectionately as “Uncle Ho” are displayed in a glass field along with his Chinese language-style uniform.
Ho’s sandals have even been lauded in nationwide songs praising his easy life-style.
“These sandals helped Uncle journey a great distance, and with them, he overcame difficulties to construct the nation,” the lyrics of 1 tune say.
The Vietnamese first started making rubber sandals within the late Forties, in the course of the First Indochina Struggle in opposition to the French, utilizing tyres from an ambushed military truck.
They discovered the sandals had been low cost to make and survived nicely in moist, muddy and hilly circumstances, as troopers marched by means of thick jungle.
Later, in the course of the Vietnam Struggle, the easy however sturdy footwear turned a logo of the communist Viet Cong forces’ ingenuity of their battle in opposition to america’ navy may.
Even in peacetime, the design stays in style for sustainability causes, stated Nguyen Duc Truong, who has spent his life crafting the sneakers.
“I feel there may be nonetheless a lot potential for rubber sandals,” the 58-year-old stated.
Vietnam is without doubt one of the world’s high 4 international locations for shoe manufacturing and its factories produce pairs for main manufacturers corresponding to Nike and Adidas.
The footwear export business generated practically $12 billion within the first half of this yr, in accordance with authorities figures.
Whereas the standard rubber sandal doesn’t fairly generate the identical income, it’s excessive on heritage worth and its recognition as an informal shoe is rising.
Vua Dep Lop, which began as a small enterprise and have become Vietnam’s rubber sandal chief, sells the footwear for round $10 a pair.
At its workshop in Hanoi, shoemakers use sharp knives and chisels to craft the sandals from large tyres which can be virtually the identical peak as the employees.
Whereas the standard black fashions are bestsellers, a vibrant trendy twist helps the sandal enchantment to a youthful demographic.
Nguyen Tien Cuong took over the enterprise from his father-in-law in 2011, and has offered greater than half 1,000,000 pairs of rubber sandals since then.
“We tried to make them softer and extra modern. After altering the type and format, we began having extra clients,” he stated.
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