Woman spends 3 decades making traditional clogs by hand in Vietnam
Tuesday, August 15, 2023, 14:09 GMT+7
Tran Thi Hoang Yen, a 50-year-old from the Mekong Delta city of Vinh Long, has been making guốc mộc (traditional Vietnamese wooden clogs) by hand for the past 30 years.
The guốc mộc consists of a wooden sole and a top strap typically made of leather, denim, or plastic.
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| A wooden sole of a 'guốc mộc' at Tran Thi Hoang Yen’s shop in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tong Khoa / Tuoi Tre |
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| A pair of 'guốc mộc.' Photo: Tong Khoa / Tuoi Tre |
Yen works out of Vinh Long Market, where, in the past, several booths were run by clog-makers arduously nailing straps to wooden soles to make traditional clogs.
Traditionally, these shoes were donned by women as a complement to their ao dai (Vietnamese traditional costume).
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| Tran Thi Hoang Yen nails a strap to a wooden sole to make 'guốc mộc' for a customer. Photo: Tong Khoa / Tuoi Tre |
According to Yen, the guốc mộc first became a popular choice of footwear for Vietnamese simply because of its availability and durability.
“Guốc mộc are very durable,” Yen said.
“They are often used for a very long time before they break.”
“If the straps tear, customers can just bring the clogs to me for repair.
"They only need to buy a new pair if the soles rupture.”
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| Tran Thi Hoang Yen attaches a grip pad to the outsole to make the 'guốc mộc' non-slip. Photo: Tong Khoa / Tuoi Tre |
Yen first began making guốc mộc in her aunt's shop when she was just 20 years old. After her aunt retired, Yen took over the business.
Over the years, the clogs began to fall out of style. Now, Yen is the market’s last clog-maker.
“There was a time when every shoe shop in the market made and sold guốc mộc. The whole clog area [of the market] was particularly crowded during Tet [Lunar New Year],” Yen recalled.
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| Pairs of 'guốc mộc' made by hand at Tran Thi Hoang Yen's shop in Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tong Khoa / Tuoi Tre |
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