[Reading level: B2 – Upper Intermediate]
Made from recycled military truck or aircraft tyres, Vietnam’s hand-made rubber sandals, the famously rugged footwear of the Viet Cong, have traveled vast distances over the decades.
In the bustling capital Hanoi, all kinds of shoes are on sale: from $1,000 Gucci heels to $2 plastic slippers.
But for those seeking a nod to yesteryear, the hard-soled rubber sandals — evocative of the communist state‘s resourcefulness under fire — are available at markets and small stores alike.
Uncle Ho’s sandals
Dao Van Quang paid $8 for a standard pair at a shop outside a Hanoi museum devoted to the country’s revolutionary leader — and dedicated rubber sandal wearer — Ho Chi Minh.
“I wore rubber sandals when I was at school, in the 1980s,” the 47-year-old from central Quang Nam province told AFP.
“They are of historical value, easy to wear and look nice.”
At the museum, the well-worn pair belonging to the former North Vietnam president known affectionately as “Uncle Ho” are displayed in a glass box with his Chinese-style uniform.
Ho’s sandals have even been lauded in national songs praising his simple lifestyle.
“These sandals helped Uncle travel a long way, and with them, he overcame difficulties to build the country,” the lyrics of one song say.
The Vietnamese first began making rubber sandals in the late 1940s, during the First Indochina War against the French, using tyres from an ambushed army truck.
They found the sandals were cheap to make and survived well in wet, muddy and hilly conditions, as soldiers marched through thick jungle.
Later, during the Vietnam War, the simple but sturdy footwear became a symbol of the communist Viet Cong forces’ ingenuity in their fight against the United States’ military might.
Even in peacetime, the design remains popular for sustainability reasons, said Nguyen Duc Truong, who has spent his life crafting the shoes.
“I think there is still much potential for rubber sandals,” the 58-year-old said.
Rising popularity
Vietnam is one of the world’s top four countries for shoe manufacturing and its factories produce pairs for major brands such as Nike and Adidas.
The footwear export industry generated nearly $12 billion in the first half of this year, according to government figures.
While the humble rubber sandal does not quite generate the same revenue, it is high on heritage value and its popularity as a casual shoe is rising.
Vua Dep Lop, which started as a small business and became Vietnam’s rubber sandal leader, sells the footwear for around $10 a pair.
At its workshop in Hanoi, shoemakers use sharp knives and chisels to craft the sandals from huge tyres that are almost the same height as the workers.
While the traditional black models are bestsellers, a colourful modern twist is helping the sandal appeal to a younger demographic.
Nguyen Tien Cuong took over the business from his father-in-law in 2011, and has sold more than half a million pairs of rubber sandals since then.
“We tried to make them softer and more fashionable. After changing the style and format, we started having more customers,” he said.
Source: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/trend/from-war-to-peace-vietnams-rubber-sandals-march-on-4492158.html
WORD BANK:
tyre /taɪər/ [A2] (n): lốp xe
rubber /ˈrʌb.ɚ/ [B2] (n): cao su
rugged /ˈrʌɡ.ɪd/ (adj): bền, khỏe
bustling /ˈbʌs.lɪŋ/ (adj): nhộn nhịp
seek /siːk/ [B2] (v): tìm kiếm
nod /nɒd/ (n): cái gật đầu
sole /səʊl/ (n): đế giày
evocative /ɪˈvɒk.ə.tɪv/ (adj): gợi lên
communist state (n): nhà nước cộng sản
resourcefulness /rɪˈzɔː.sfəl.nəs/ (n): sự tháo vát
devote sth to sth/sb /dɪˈvoʊ.t̬ɪd/ [B2] (v): dành cái gì cho ai/cái gì
revolutionary /ˌrev.əˈluː.ʃən.ər.i/ [B2] (adj): mang tính cách mạng
dedicated /ˈded.ə.keɪ.t̬ɪd/ [C1] (adj): tận tụy
affectionately /əˈfek.ʃən.ət.li/ (adv): âu yếm, trìu mến
display /dɪˈspleɪ/ (v): trưng bày
laud /lɔːd/ (v): ngợi ca
praise /preɪz/ [B2] (v): tôn vinh
ambush /ˈæm.bʊʃ/ (v): phục kích
survive /sɚˈvaɪv/ [B2[ (v): tồn tại
muddy /ˈmʌd.i/ [B2] (adj): lầy lội
march /mɑːrtʃ/ [C2] (v): hành quân
jungle /ˈdʒʌŋ.ɡəl/ [B1] (n): rừng rậm
sturdy /ˈstɜː.di/ (adj): bền, chắc
ingenuity /ˌɪn.dʒəˈnjuː.ə.ti/ (n): sự tài tình
might /maɪt/ (n): sức mạnh
sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/ [C2] (n): bền vững
manufacturing /ˌmæn.jəˈfæk.tʃɚ.ɪŋ/ [B2] (n): sự sản xuất
export /ˈek.spɔːrt/ [B2] (v): xuất khẩu
government /ˈɡʌv.ən.mənt/ [B1] (n): chính phủ
figure /ˈfɪɡ.ər/ [B1] (n): số liệu
humble /ˈhʌm.bəl/ [C2] (adj): khiêm tốn
revenue /ˈrev.ə.nuː/ [C1] (n): doanh thu
heritage /ˈher.ɪ.t̬ɪdʒ/ [C2] (n): di sản
chisel /ˈtʃɪz.əl/ (n): cái đục
appeal /əˈpiːl/ [C1] (v): thu hút
demographic /ˌdem.əˈɡræf.ɪk/ (n): nhóm nhân khẩu học
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