Vietnam’s handcrafted rubber sandals, the Viet Cong’s famously rugged footwear, are made from recycled military truck or airplane tires and have come a long way over the decades.
All manner of shoes are sold in the bustling capital of Hanoi, from $1,000 Gucci heels to $2 plastic slippers.
But for those seeking a nod to a bygone era, the hard-soled rubber sandals – a reminder of the ingenuity of the communist state under attack – are available in markets and small shops alike.
– Uncle Ho’s sandals –
Dao Van Quang paid $8 for a standard pair at a shop outside a Hanoi museum dedicated to the country’s revolutionary leader — and dedicated rubber sandal wearer — Ho Chi Minh.
“I wore rubber sandals to school in the 1980s,” the 47-year-old from central Quang Nam province told AFP.
“They have historical value, are easy to wear and look good.”
At the museum, the worn pair of the former North Vietnamese President, affectionately known as “Uncle Ho,” is displayed in a glass box with his Chinese-style uniform.
Ho’s sandals were even praised in national songs praising his simple lifestyle.
“These sandals helped Uncle walk a long way and he used them to overcome difficulties in building the country,” reads one of the lyrics.
The Vietnamese began making rubber sandals in the late 1940s during the First Indochina War against the French, using tires from a hijacked army truck.
They found that the sandals were cheap to manufacture and survived well in wet, muddy, and hilly conditions as soldiers marched through dense jungle.
Later, during the Vietnam War, the simple but sturdy shoes became a symbol of the ingenuity of the communist Viet Cong forces in their fight against the military might of the United States.
Even in peacetime, the design remains popular for reasons of sustainability, said Nguyen Duc Truong, who has spent his life making the shoes.
“I think there’s still a lot of potential for rubber sandals,” said the 58-year-old.
– Rising Popularity –
Vietnam is one of the top four shoe-making countries in the world, and its factories produce pairs for big brands like Nike and Adidas.
According to government figures, the footwear export industry generated nearly US$12 billion in the first half of this year.
While the humble rubber sandals don’t garner quite the same revenue, they have great historical value and their popularity as a casual shoe is increasing.
Vua Dep Lop, which started as a small business and has become Vietnam’s leader in rubber sandals, sells the shoes for around US$10 a pair.
At his workshop in Hanoi, shoemakers use sharp knives and chisels to make the sandals from giant hoops almost as tall as the workers.
While the traditional black models are bestsellers, a colorful modern twist helps the sandal appeal to a younger demographic.
Nguyen Tien Cuong took over the business from his father-in-law in 2011 and has since sold more than half a million pairs of rubber sandals.
“We tried to make them softer and more fashionable. After we changed the style and format, we started having more clients,” he said.
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