BATTLE PROVEN: Nguyen Tien Cuong with a pair of rubber sandals modelled on those worn by Vietnamese soldiers during wartime. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Tien Cuong

These types of sandals were worn by Vietnamese foot soldiers during the country’s resistance wars against foreign aggression, and are still closely associated with the image of President Ho Chi Minh.

Many people call them "Uncle Ho sandals" because they were a distinctive footwear of the late president during war as well as peace times.

The historical footwear, which in modern times have all but fallen into oblivion, were recently revived by the efforts of Nguyen Tien Cuong, the founder and owner of the Vua Dep Lop (King of Tyre Sandals) brand.

Vua Dep Lop has introduced its rubber sandals abroad for the last six years. As its customers are primarily foreigners, the sandals are estimated to have travelled to 60 countries and territories around the world including the UK, France, the US, Japan, and China.

Cuong said deciding to make the rubber sandals was almost predestined.

His father-in-law, artisan Pham Quang Xuan, was the last maker of the sandals in Hanoi and was also the creator of sandals for President Ho, which the beloved leader wore in many cities and provinces nationwide and even overseas.

BEST FOOT FORWARD: Nguyen Tien Cuong (left) with his father-in-law, artisan Pham Quang Xuan, who has inspired him to pursue making rubber sandals. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Tien Cuong

Having visited his father-in-law’s home and watched his obsession with making sandals for customers nostalgic for the old days, Cuong gradually understood the attraction.

“Such simple sandals represent a historical time for the whole country,” he said. “They are made totally by hand from used car tyres, so are very much environment-friendly.”

“When I first learned about the rubber sandals, my father-in-law was already 72. At that time, I suddenly thought that if he passed away, Vietnam would lose a precious product.”

“I then thought I would continue in his footsteps, preserving the craft of making rubber sandals from discarded car tyres.”

He then quit his job as an IT technician with a handsome salary and started Vua Dep Lop from scratch.

He faced countless difficulties, both in inputs and the finished product.

As the sandals were originally made during wartime, many people viewed them as cheap and old-fashioned.

“I became occupied with the question of who my target customers might be and what a fair price might be, so that the business could stay afloat,” he recalled.

REPURPOSED: Rubber sandals are made by hand from discarded car tyres. Photo courtesy of Nguyen Tien Cuong

To introduce his products to more customers, he invested in opening stalls at historical sites such as the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Vietnam Military History Museum, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Every stall showcases the history of the rubber sandals, so that customers understand what they are buying.

He also prepared leaflets in various languages to introduce the sandals to foreign customers.

Vua Dep Lop also promotes its products via websites, Facebook, and YouTube.

Cuong’s business has worked with the Ho Chi Minh Museum to hold three exhibitions a week for visitors on how to make the rubber sandals.

He estimates his workshop has sold over 200,000 pairs since 2016.

An advantage of rubber sandals made from car tyres is their durability.

“Tyres are an important part of a vehicle, so are made from the best type of rubber,” he explained. “Sandals made from car tyres are therefore extremely durable, lasting at least five years.”

“The straps are adjusted to make them fit every foot. The longer the car-tyre sandals are worn, the shinier they become, instead of looking old like other sandals.”

“Moreover, car-tyre sandals are closely associated with Vietnam’s history and President Ho Chi Minh, so are historically meaningful.”

As well as making traditional models, Vua Dep Lop has also innovated materials, designs, and colours to create fashionable footwear for customers from all walks of life, from the elderly to youngster and even children.

Like other companies, his business, which currently employs around 40 people, has been severely affected by COVID-19, as 90 per cent of customers are foreigners.

Cuong, however, considers this difficult moment an opportunity to develop the local market and professionalise online sales channels.

“We have pretty much overcome the difficulties, opening around 20 shops nationwide, and turnover from online sales has increased 300 per cent,” he said.

He plans to improve business operations in the future in addition to diversifying products, lowering prices, and creating more jobs.

“I also hope to build a museum dedicated to tyre sandals and to organise more exhibitions on how they are made, so this becomes another way for foreign tourists to learn about Vietnam,” he said. VNS

Luong Thu Huong

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