Over 40 years in shoe repair

For over 40 years, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hung (59 years old), residing in Quarter 6, Ward 3, Tay Ninh City, has been quietly and diligently working with needles and threads to turn seemingly discarded shoes into intact, durable ones, helping poor workers to have less hardship and helping many people keep unforgettable souvenirs.

While working hard to repair shoes for customers, Mr. Hung confided: “In the 80s, the economy was difficult, finding a job was not easy. And then by chance, in 1982, a relative told me to follow the profession of a famous shoe repair shop at the beginning of the old Gia Long Street (near Quan Bridge), now Cach Mang Thang Tam Street. In 1983, I also chose this area to practice my profession and have been making a living ever since.”

From 8am to 5pm every day, regardless of the weather, Mr. Hung still works hard to repair all kinds of shoes and sandals. His long-term work has made his hands rough and bumpy because he comes into contact with glue, pliers, and chisels every day. Sometimes he sews and patches; sometimes he glues and polishes; no matter how damaged, the shoes and sandals that have gone from useless to useful through his experienced hands.

Most of his customers are regulars. Knowing that he works meticulously, carefully, and at reasonable prices, they refer their friends and relatives to come and repair his shoes. Therefore, even without an advertising sign, Mr. Hung's shop is still popular. Many well-off people still bring their old shoes to be repaired because they find them comfortable to wear, and the shoes are also associated with a memory given to them by friends or relatives.

Mr. Nguyen Thai My, a teacher at Hoang Van Thu High School (Chau Thanh District), who often comes to repair shoes, said: “Mr. Hung has a gentle and calm personality. Importantly, he is careful in his work and has reasonable prices. After assessing the “disease” of a shoe or sandal, if the repair price is higher than its actual value, he advises customers not to spend money on repairs, or advises them to repair it to both ensure aesthetics and durability when used.”

Shoe and sandal repair does not have a fixed price, depending on the condition of each item, the lowest price is about 50,000 VND. But according to Mr. Hung, any job requires diligence and hard work, the most important thing is to love the job and keep the reputation so that customers who come to repair once will trust and come back again and introduce new customers.

“After entering the profession, I realized that regardless of holidays, Saturdays and Sundays, from morning to afternoon, the workers focus on repairing shoes and sandals, only leaving their chairs for lunch, and sometimes taking a nap before customers come. Not to mention that their hands and feet are always dirty, making friends with shoe dust and road dust. In return, although this profession is not abundant, it is stable, with an average monthly income of 15 to 20 million VND, helping me take care of my children's education," said Mr. Hung.

It is known that Mr. Hung's two children have graduated from university and have stable jobs. He is now nearly 60 years old, his health is gradually declining, his eyesight is also dimmer than when he was young, but he still does not want to give up his job.

"In the past, I worked because of poverty, but gradually I became more grateful and loved the job because this job not only brought me income but also met my soulmates, the customers. When I finished, delivered the goods to the customers, they picked them up, felt satisfied and thanked me, I felt happy" - Mr. Hung shared with a gentle smile.

Ha Quang

Source: https://baotayninh.vn/hon-40-nam-gan-bo-vo-i-nghe-su-a-giay-de-p-a189294.html