Grocery boat on the river

In the Mekong Delta, it is not difficult to see small boats loaded with goods, weaving through canals and streams, serving the daily needs of the people. Amidst the increasingly changing pace of life, these “grocery boats” still regularly drift, carrying with them a part of the peaceful memories of the river countryside.

The small wooden boat of Mr. Tam Tinh (Chau Doc City, An Giang Province) has been involved in the mobile selling business on the river for more than 20 years. On the boat are all kinds of essential goods, such as: rice, instant noodles, soy sauce, soap, essential oils, books, children's toys.

Every morning, before the sun has even risen, the boat leaves the dock. Moving slowly along the water, Mr. Tam Tinh steers the boat and shouts loudly: "Who wants to buy anything, folks?". The familiar cry wakes up the entire riverbank, children rush out, adults carry baskets and basins and stand waiting. Short conversations and everyday inquiries make the grocery boat a part of the lives of the people in the countryside.

For Mr. Tam, the grocery boat is not only a means of earning a living, but also a bridge connecting people. On that small boat, goods are transported, but affection remains. Nowadays, when the rural transportation system is increasingly complete, grocery boats like Mr. Tam Tinh's are becoming less and less common. But for the people of the West, the image of a wooden boat loaded with goods, the sound of selling on the peaceful river, is still an unforgettable memory. It is a rustic, sincere image, full of affection like the people here.

HA PHUC

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/ghe-tap-hoa-tren-song-a421869.html