Despite the dangers, some people living near Huong River, Hue City, battle the rapids and enter the river to collect wood.
After the 3rd tropical storm, part of the river running from Tuan Bridge to Phu Xuan Bridge was filled with numerous branches and logs which flowed down from the upper part of the river.
The wood is now slowly floating along the river and it takes about an hour to collect and fill one boatload.
After being collected, much of the wood is kept near the riverbank and children carry it to shore. Some of them fall into the river and then get back out and continue working.
Ngoc, a 13 year old boy said, “I can make VND5,000 ($0.26) for a 3 kilogram bundle of timber. If I work hard, I can earn VND50,000-70,000 ($2.6-3.1) per day. However, a lot of potential danger always awaits for me such as stepping on nails or on broken pieces of glass bottles or even drowning. Yesterday, a boat full of wood flipped because it hit swirling water. Fortunately, the two people on the boat survived.”
Most timber collectors are living in need and use only their hands to collect wood, others use rods.
There are about 20 “professional” timber collectors with over 10 boats that make a living by collecting wood.
Although they all know it’s a dangerous job, they still do it in order to earn a living.
Despite the danger, locals collect wood for a living
Using a boat to tug and carry wood