making a living in the rain and wind
At noon on September 26, during the pouring rain on Pham Hung Street (Hanoi City), Mr. Nguyen Van Binh - a technology motorbike taxi driver - was still waiting for customers. Mr. Binh shared: "If customers need me, I have to go. I have to work rain or shine, if I stop, I can't take care of my wife and children."
Mr. Binh's story is not unique. Throughout the streets of Hanoi and many large cities, the green, yellow, and red raincoats of technology drivers have become familiar. Regardless of the dry weather or the pouring rain, they still diligently take customers home, transport their belongings, and deliver goods. For many people, it is the main source of life to support their families, prepare meals, change clothes, and let their children continue to go to school.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Luong - a shipper who also runs a motorbike taxi - said that he works almost every day from early morning to late at night, regardless of the sun or rain. "When it rains, it get wet, it cools, and there are days when I sit still and hold my breath. But it's better to work hard than go home empty-handed," said Mr. Luong.
According to Mr. Luong, the profession of a technology motorbike taxi driver does not have a fixed resting place or "daylight" when the weather is harsh. "If the fish needs to catch rice, if it rains, the fish may weaken, but I still have to continue fishing. If I don't go, how will I cover my expenses?", Mr. Luong confided.
Behind the steering wheel is food and clothing, family
What keeping them from traveling for each trip is not just the immediate salary. Behind the steering wheel was a family with many worries about food and money. For men, it is tuition for their children, medicine for their elderly parents. For young workers, that is the only way to take care of themselves and send some money back to their hometown.
Mr. Le Thanh Tung - a delivery shipper - said that if he works hard, he earns about 10 - 12 million VND per month. The amount of money is not much compared to the hardship, but it is enough for the couple to cover their living expenses and raise their two young children to study. "Just thinking about my child's smile, seeing the children having a full meal gives me the motivation to continue running, no matter how heavy the rain," Mr. Tung shared.
Mr. Nguyen Hoang Luong confided: "The determination of workers who make a living in the rain and wind does not stop at making a living. That is also the belief in a better tomorrow. Even though I am unstable, I still keep hope, work hard today to avoid hardship in the future".
The city may be cold during sudden rains, but earning money at that moment to support the whole family is enough to warm my heart. The work is hard, but we choose not to give up, not to back down. Because behind me there is food, clothes, family and aspirations for a more fulfilling tomorrow," said Mr. Luong.
