Vendors at Tan Lap, Thu Duc and Tam Binh markets in Ho Chi Minh City know Ly Thuy Trang well. She is a student who sells cakes for a living and always keeps her books close to her side.
At times, she reads her books so attentively that she doesn't hear customers calling for her. Ly Thuy Trang is now a second year student at Thu Duc Technology College.
Ly Thuy Trang (Right) sells cakes on streets for a living
Trang’s father left in 1990 just after she was born. Her mother had no field and no money, only a tattered house. She was struggling to bring up Trang and her brother. Sometimes she was hired to work in the fields of other families or sold items on the streets. The little money she earned wasn't enough for 3 people. When Trang was 6, her family moved from Can Tho City to Ho Chi Minh City. She attended a charity class there and often went with her mother and brother after school to sell lottery tickets. Despite such difficulties, her study results were always good.
When Trang graduated from high school, her mother started suffering from arthritis and her mother could only sell cakes in markets.
Currently, their family shares a small room hired in Truong Tho Ward, Thu Duc District, Ho Chi Minh City. There is no bed in the room. She has only a small plastic chair for studying.
She goes to school one day and sells cakes the next. If they sell out cakes before sunrise, they sell vegetables. Then Trang rushes to go home and prepares to go to school.
Trang feels lucky that she still can continue her study. “I am studying accounting. Hopefully I can find a good job after graduation to support my mother.” shared Trang.
