Not surrendering to fate
At noon on August 14, we returned to the traditional silver bean craft village of Dinh Cong (Dinh Cong ward, Hanoi). Visiting the goldsmith temple on Bui Xuong Trach street, we saw craftsmen working hard at their tables. Some are disabled but their eyes shine with concentration, their hands are flexible and combine thin silver threads like hair into the pattern.
Mr. Dang Van Duong (32 years old, from Ninh Binh province) - a person with a disability in one leg - said: "I used to be a driver, in 2019 I had a traffic accident that caused me to lose one leg. Since I knew that there was free vocational training here, I went to Hanoi to study.
At first, it was very difficult, because the technique of combining thin silver threads into elaborate and sophisticated patterns. To complete a product, the craftsman must go through many stages: pulling silver into strands, bending, welding, hitting balls... Each stage requires accuracy down to every inch. With patience, I now have been able to make complete jewelry products.
After just over a year, Mr. Duong was able to make bracelets and rings by hand. Mr. Duong shared: "The most important thing is that I have a job. Last month, my income was also over 7 million VND. This amount is enough to cover living expenses and there is still an amount to save".

In another corner, Mr. Hoang The An (37 years old, from Bac Ninh province) - who suffered a spinal cord injury due to a work accident in 2019 - is diligently grinding each small detail of the pattern.
"I have been studying here for 9 days. This profession requires meticulousness, carefulness, hard work, high concentration and no rush. The illness made it difficult for me to move. When I heard that Dinh silver bean craft village recognized free training for the disabled, I took a risk to Hanoi. At first, I was afraid I could not do it, but everyone here patiently instructed me little by little, Mr. An shared.
Maintain the passion for the profession with a heart
Artisan Quach Phan Tuan Anh - owner of the silver bean processing workshop, Manager of Dinh Cong Silver bean Traditional Craft Village - said: "Here, I accept free vocational training for people, especially the disabled. They study completely for free, I also support the students with tools. This profession does not require too much effort, the important thing is meticulousness and patience, so it is very suitable for them".
Artisan Tuan Anh confided: "Every time I see a student - even a disabled person - making a beautiful product, I am very happy and believe that this profession is still alive. If there is still a profession, there will be cultural values. Vocational learners will also have a brighter future".

Artisan Quach Phan Tuan Anh also shared: Skilled workers also have to take a few years to become proficient, while new workers - especially the disabled - need to be twice as patient. But it is their inherent meticulousness and caution that is the advantage. People with disabilities are often hard-working, focused and not in a hurry. They are very beautiful, sometimes more sophisticated than ordinary craftsmen. I do not consider this as "gratefulness", but as mutually beneficial cooperation - I pass on the profession, they create value".