{"id":1005,"date":"2013-09-04T17:09:44","date_gmt":"2013-09-04T10:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/?p=1005"},"modified":"2019-07-03T11:56:54","modified_gmt":"2019-07-03T04:56:54","slug":"saigon-yoke-carrier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/saigon-yoke-carrier\/","title":{"rendered":"FACES OF VIETNAM Edition 2 &#8211; A Yoke Carrier in Saigon"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/saigon-yoke-carrier\/#_Local_Sells_Rice_Paper_Snacks_on_a_Yoke\" >\u00a0Local Sells Rice Paper Snacks on a Yoke<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/saigon-yoke-carrier\/#Meet_a_yoke_carrier_in_Ho_Chi_Minh_city\" >Meet a yoke carrier in Ho Chi Minh city<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"_Local_Sells_Rice_Paper_Snacks_on_a_Yoke\"><\/span><strong>\u00a0Local Sells Rice Paper Snacks on a Yoke<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>We met Ms. Hung on Nguyen Van Cu street, squatting next to her<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Carrying_pole\"> yoke<\/a> full of snacks and condiments.\u00a0 She sells a type of rice paper snack that is cut up in strips and mixed with lime, seasoning, nuts, and other delicious additions.\u00a0 We squatted down next to her to speak with her about her daily life.\u00a0 Moment of enlightenment #1:\u00a0 squatting for 12 hours a day is as uncomfortable as it looks.\u00a0 We probably adjusted ourselves 30 times during our conversation, all the while perplexed as to how she \u2018sat\u2019 like that all day!\u00a0 We were sure our legs would give out at some point!\u00a0 Moment of enlightenment #2: we learned that her yoke weighs 30 kilograms!\u00a0 We took a shot at carrying her yoke and failed miserably&#8230;\u00a0 We were dumbfounded that a 50-year-old frail woman could carry all this weight on her shoulders and we couldn\u2019t even get it off the ground!\u00a0 It was at about this point where we decided we should just stick to what we are good at &#8211; writing. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1011\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1011\" style=\"width: 425px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1011 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/woman-with-yoke.jpg\" alt=\"A yoke carrier who sell rice paper snack in Ho Chi Minh city\" width=\"425\" height=\"283\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/woman-with-yoke.jpg 425w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/woman-with-yoke-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/woman-with-yoke-150x99.jpg 150w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/woman-with-yoke-400x266.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1011\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A yoke carrier who sell rice paper snack in Ho Chi Minh city<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meet_a_yoke_carrier_in_Ho_Chi_Minh_city\"><\/span>Meet a yoke carrier in Ho Chi Minh city<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Ms. Hung, tell us about your family.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> I\u2019m from Binh Dinh province [Central Vietnam, and we figured as much by her accent!].\u00a0 My husband has been very ill for a long time.\u00a0 I have two sons, both in university, and one daughter.\u00a0 My one son studies transportation and the other studies agricultural industries.\u00a0 They are very intelligent!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Amazing!\u00a0 How does your family afford the university education?\u00a0 Do your sons work?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> No, actually the government helps out and gives a grant for students.\u00a0 The rest of the money I earn for them.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Do you miss your husband? \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> *Blushes*\u00a0 Yes.\u00a0 But my daughter is there to take care of him so I know he\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Does your daughter work?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> No she takes care of the house.\u00a0 We raise our own animals &#8211; ducks, pigs, cows, chickens.\u00a0 She also takes care of my husband.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> How often do you go back to see your family?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> Only 3 times a year.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> How long have you been in the city?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> 5 years now.\u00a0 It\u2019s very difficult but we can make a lot more money in the city.\u00a0 There is no money where we live.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> So where do you live here?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> There is a house really near by.\u00a0 More than 50 people live in one house.\u00a0 We are all workers with similar jobs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> 50 people!?\u00a0 How much does it cost to stay there?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> 500,000 VND per month.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Wow.\u00a0 The owner must make a lot of money in rent!\u00a0 Do you like the people you live with?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> Oh yes, very much.\u00a0 We are all friends!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> Lucky!\u00a0 How much <a href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/money-in-vietnam-guide\/\">money<\/a> do you make in one month?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> Well, I earn around 30,000 VND of profit a day.\u00a0 I shop at the Cau Muoi market so my costs aren\u2019t too much.\u00a0 I make enough to support my family and pay my rent here.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> When you get hungry, do you bring lunch from home or do you just make your self a rice paper snack?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> I usually bring my food from home.\u00a0 We have a small kitchen and we take turns cooking for everyone.\u00a0 If I don\u2019t have food, I\u2019ll snack on some quail eggs and peanuts!\u00a0 It\u2019s my favourite snack!\u00a0 It is a special Buddhist holiday right now so I am eating vegetarian lunch today.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>XO:<\/strong> That\u2019s right!\u00a0 Did you go to the temple today?<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ms Hung:<\/strong> No, actually I do not get time to go.\u00a0 I have to work.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1014\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1014\" style=\"width: 283px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1014\" src=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/mshung-3-e1378256361696.jpg\" alt=\"Ms Hung enjoying her vegetarian lunch.\" width=\"283\" height=\"378\" srcset=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/mshung-3-e1378256361696.jpg 283w, https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/mshung-3-e1378256361696-224x300.jpg 224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1014\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ms Hung enjoying her vegetarian lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Ms. Hung then pulled out her lunch to show us (and to eat obviously, since we were encroaching on her lunch time).\u00a0 She ate a bowl of lentils and rice that day, and that\u2019s what she was going to have for dinner as well.\u00a0 She said it was a really inexpensive meal.\u00a0 It is very commendable to see the kind of work ethic that she has, especially when her family is many miles away from her.\u00a0 She draws from the strength of her family to survive in the city, and looks forward to her visits back home.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We have many more interviews as well as Vietnam travel tips coming up! \u00a0Want a unique cultural experience in Vietnam? \u00a0Let us create a <a title=\"Custom Tour\" href=\"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/Our_Tours\/Private_Tours.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener \u201ddofollow&quot;\">custom tour<\/a> for you!<\/p>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0Local Sells Rice Paper Snacks on a Yoke We met Ms. Hung on Nguyen Van Cu street, squatting next to her yoke full of snacks and condiments.\u00a0 She sells a type of rice paper snack that is cut up in strips and mixed with lime, seasoning, nuts, and other delicious additions.\u00a0 We squatted down next [&hellip;]<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1011,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Faces of Vietnam Edition 2 - Yoke Carrier and Rice paper Snack Seller","_seopress_titles_desc":"This week we will talk to Ms. Hung, a worker from central Vietnam. She is a yoke carrier who sells rice paper snacks around Ho Chi Minh city every day.","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[432],"tags":[144,186,187,188],"class_list":{"0":"post-1005","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-local-life","8":"tag-vietnamese-culture-2","9":"tag-faces-of-vietnam","10":"tag-rice-paper-snack","11":"tag-yoke"},"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1005"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5303,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1005\/revisions\/5303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1011"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/xotours.vn\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}