Workshop and talk – from old vehicle tyres to rubber sandals – Vietnamese footwear ingenuity – FULL

THIS IS NOW FULL BUT PLEASE RSVP FOR THE WAITING LIST. THANKS

HOW DID OLD DISCARDED VEHICLE TYRES REINVENT THEMSELVES AS FOOTWEAR THAT HELPED THE VIETNAMESE IN THE FRENCH AND AMERICAN WARS?

You may well have heard of the Hồ Chí Minh sandals – made from old vehicle tyres  – worn during the French and American war years. Actually, there were different design of sandals named according to the war periods.

Join us as we meet the leading Vua Dép Lốp artisans who make these rubber sandals (made only from tyres – and no glue or adhesive. no stitching – the skill is in the cutting.

1ST PART. 1 hour. Look round the display showroom and hear about the story from the old days to today – from the original designs to modern style footwear (still only from tyres). Including  replicas of Hồ Chí Minh and Võ Nguyên Giáp sandals (and why they chose these particular designs). Who came up with the design ideas, what tools were used, what happened if a soldier lost their precious pair of sandals, and who are the artisans today?  These sandals were far more than footwear. This a fascinating story of how old discarded rubber tyres were reinvented and how they contributed to the victories in the French and American wars, and to how they are now an iconic symbol today.  In fact they have taken on a trendy fashionable look as they enter a new era of footwear.

PART 2 – 1 to 1.5hrs . Show and tell and workshop in the semi-outdoor display and workshop area at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, FVH will have our own workshop – although the general public may well pass by and watch .  See how the artisan(s) cuts out a pair of sandals and assembles the parts. We all have a chance to buy and help complete our own pair.   You can try to make the whole pair from scratch to do some of it and let the artisan complete the rest if its too hard.  But you get to go home with your own pair.

Great things about these sandals is they are so incredibly durable. They  withstand the Hanoi weather able to survive moldy March and torrential downpours !!

The cost includes the talk, the cost of material to make your own proper pair of sandals and the workshop/instruction.

Choice of 2 sandals – 200,000 VND for the cheaper pair and 450,000 VND for the more expensive (heavier pair with thicker souls). Those confirmed  on the afternoon can choose your sandals when you arrive so no need to decide in advance.

Part 1 – everyone pays the same fee for the talk and showroom tour 150,000 VND per person

Part 2 – purchase a pair of sandals to make – 200,000 VND or 450,000 VND depending on your preference (your shoe size will be measured before we start the workshop)

Total 350,000 VND or 600,000 VND (including talk and a pair of sandals)

Part 3 – for those who want to stay on we will have a beer at the next door bia hoi

This event is for adults only (we can run a children’s workshop another time as it’s a different format). Making adult shoes requires more strength, and the use of sharp knives and instruments.  Also, this is the first time  Vua Dép Lốp artisans have done a dedicated event for the non-Vietnamese general public, tailored to FVH’s wishes. Hence, restricted to a maximum 10 adults, to ensure enough support and instruction.

The artisans do not speak English so we will have interpretation from some of the FVH committee.

Timing  – 2pm-4pm/4.30pm – allow up to 2hrs 30 mins

Venue – Ngọc Hạ (Hồ Chí Minh Museum – exact details will be given to those confirmed on the trip

Payment in cash on the day

The fee shown in the programme header is based on the cheaper amount as its not possible to add both prices.

We will have a waiting list if the event is full and will repeat it as we are sure this will be popular event.

Please RSVP to stella@fvheritage.org

This is the first event related to the history of footwear, as we will also be planning some workshops, behind the scenes tours, and talks with the Institute of leather and footwear in Vietnam.

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