Born in 1981 in Kon Tum. Currently resides in Kon Tum

Back-braking Work of Salt Harvesting

Found along Vietnam's south-central coast, Tuyet Diem in Xuan Binh Commune (Song Cau City, Phu Yen Province) is one of a few remaining villages that still holds onto the traditional way of making salt. Here, brutal manpower is used to harvest and refine briny salt granules into pure sea-fragrant table salt. Though recent years have seen a decrease in the number of households that make salt because of a surge in low-priced, factory-produced imports, there are some in this age of industrialization whose predilection for an old-fashioned approach that has been practiced for more than 150 years continues, despite the low wages and back-braking work, to preserve this traditional craft.

Born in 1971 in Nam Dinh Giang. Currently resides in Hanoi City

90-Year-Old Cobbler

Tran Gnoc is a cobbler in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He's 90 years old but still working.
Having studied at L'École ABC de Dessin in Paris, he can make any kind of shoe you want. And, over his decades-long career, he has made shoes for the Cambodian Royal Family, from the Queen to Prince Sihanouk, as well as many famous Vietnamese singers. In his words, “Artisanal crafts are kept alive in this hi-tech day and age by people who appreciate art. There are patrons who prefer, for example, paintings over portraits and, therefore, expect the artist to pour his soul into his work. The same goes for a cobbler; a certain level of skill is required, without which you could lose your job.”
Taking his thoughts a little deeper, he added, “Civilization has existed since time immemorial and will likely continue into perpetuity, so I don't see handicrafts disappearing from the face of the earth.”
Since our conversation was already heading in that direction, I asked him what the most important thing in life is, to which he replied, “My life is very simple. The way I see things is that, if I make someone happy, I'll receive twice the happiness in return.”

Born in 1965 in Soc Trang. Currently resides in Lam Dong

Le Cap Sac of 12 Lamps of the Red Dao

This rite of passage peculiar to the Dao People of Northern Vietnam is held towards the end of the year by the lunar calendar, rather than on a set date like the annual traditions celebrated by ethnic communities in the southern part of the country. What makes it even more interesting is that, because of the spiritual elements and financial underpinnings it requires, the Le Cap Sac of 12 Lamps is an extremely rare event seen only once every 50 years in some villages.
The cultural connotations of the event are heavy, too. Dao men must go through Le Cap Sac in order to be recognized as true descendants of the Dao's forefather, Ban Vuong. The ritual is divided into 3 stages: 3, 7 and 12 “lamps”; lamps are given as a reward for passing the respective stages. Only after completing all three stages are the men officially considered mature within their community. It is also believed that this experience allows them to reunite with their ancestral patriarch in the afterlife. As the highest and most pious stage, the Le Cap Sac of 12 Lamps is 5 days long and performed by 12 shamans invited just for the occasion. To the sound of drums, gongs and horns, participants go through a series of ceremonies in which an alter is unveiled, the name and position of a “lamp bearer” are announced, the rite of passage is officially commenced and other formalities are conducted, all the while fasting on vegetarian foods from start to finish, learning shamanistic arts, performing a turtle dance and facing challenges.
Crucial throughout the entire ritual are the lamps (candles). They serve to illuminate the soul and sanctify the participants by cleansing them of all sins. Only after this is done can the ritual culminate with its most sacred moment when the shamans seal the covenant of eternal matrimony by conferring a certificate and seal to each participant and his spouse as they kneel at the foot of a step.
Five days of traditional ceremonies, some of which endured until sunrise, were physically tiring, but everyone looked proud and joyous having been able to take part in the decades-awaited Le Cap Sac of 12 Lamps.

Born in 1969 in An Giang. Currently resides in Ho Chi Minh City.

Born in 1988 in Binh Dinh. Currently resides in Ho Chi Minh City.

Protecting the Sea Turtles of the Con Dao Islands

Located in Ba Rja-Vung Tau Province, the Con Dao Islands are a popular dive destination not just because of the resounding beauty of their pristine seas and white sandy beaches but also because they are home to the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in Vietnam. The archipelago is also where many successful activities have been implemented to rescue and protect sea turtles.
The sea area of Con Dao National Park is known mostly as a habitat of the green sea turtle.
Every June to September is the peak of the nesting season when mother-turtles climb ashore the sandy beaches, dig holes and lay their eggs. There are about 18 places in Con Dao National Park, like Cau Island, Tre Lon Island and Tai Island, where mother-turtles can be seen scattered across the beaches -- the biggest nesting grounds being the wide beachheads of Bai Canh Island.
Sea turtles play an important role in maintaining a healthy balance within the marine ecosystem, but their numbers are constantly decreasing due to natural predators, disease, and intentional and unintentional fishing. And, because they take so long to grow, sea turtles are faced with a low survival rate and a high death rate. Just a small proportion of those that hatch -- roughly 1 in every 1,000 -- safely reach adulthood. That is why it is not only necessary to protect and preserve their natural habitat and a sustainable marine ecosystem, but also to cooperate in efforts to expand programs that directly protect the sea turtle. According to statistics, over 21,000 eggs have been rescued since 1995 and, of those rescued eggs, over 80% have hatched, thanks to the continuous efforts of the Con Dao National Park Administration. Because of the successful work done to protect the sea turtle, the Con Dao Islands were officially listed as the 11th site in the IOSEA Network Sites of Importance by the signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation and Management of Marine Turtles and Their Habitats of the Indian Ocean - Southeast Asia (IOSEA Marine Turtle MoU).