Archive for January 23rd, 2012
A reverse migration
Location: Phan Rang, Vietnam
Time: Tet 2012
Person talked to: Huy
Old Occupation: unknown
Return date: some time in 2011
New Occupation: beer distributor
Reason: financial hardship
Person talked to: Minh
Old Occupation: bike mechanic
Return date: Tet 2012
New Occupation: loan shark
Reason: financial hardship
Person talked to: Doan
Old Occupation: port helper
Return date: Tet 2012
New Occupation: quan nhau owner (possibly)
Reason: financial hardship
Person overheard: Chị Bé
Old Occupation: shop helper
Return date: some time in 2011
New Occupation: selling clothes on the streets of Phan Rang
Reason: financial hardship
Person overheard: Hiep
Old Occupation: truck driver
Return date: some time in 2010
New Occupation: unemployed (on paper), gambler (otherwise)
Reason: hiding from the Saigon loan sharks due to unpaid gambling debt
These young men and women after high school moved from Phan Rang to Saigon in search of a better life. Instead they found hardship. In the end they returned.
Street race in Vietnam during Tet 2012
Its New Year’s Eve. The country boys are out with souped up bikes and hearts filled with bravado
