In this flood prone area of the country, the specially-designed bamboo boat invented by two locals has helped to ease the minds of residents who live in constant fear of floods.
Both in their mid-50s, Le Van Thanh and Truong Cao Thang know what it’s like to have a flood sweep away homes and valuable property.
The historic flood last October destroyed their residences along with a lychee garden, 12 bee hives and a sow that belonged to them.
It submerged most villages in Thach Thanh District and cost Thach Dinh Commune alone nearly VND15 billion (US$905,000) worth of property damages.
Only the hill near the commune was not submerged by water, and it ended up serving as a refuge for more than 3,200 residents.
After the flood, Thanh and Thang thought of equipping households with a reliable bamboo boat so at least locals can transport themselves and some of their belongings when the water level rises.
They learnt from other experts about weaving boats and at first only planned to make several vessels for family members and close neighbors.
According to the artisans, the previous types of bamboo boat forced the user to sit in the middle to maintain balance.
The newly-designed boat with a sharp, raised bow and a deep, wide stern allows for two individuals to sit in the back without fear of tipping.
It can carry up to nine people, while the one designed specifically for families can carry up to four members.
In the worst case if the vessel capsizes, it won’t sink but will remain afloat so riders can grab on for support.
When people in surrounding communes heard about the men’s invention, they flocked to their homes and requested that Thanh and Thang apply their invention as rescue boats.
The two then decided to open a small business in Thach Dinh.
Since the beginning of 2008, they have made 300 boats, mostly selling them to commune residents and those from surrounding areas.
Each boat, depending on its user capacity, costs from VND700,000 ($42) to VND1.5 million ($91).
“Everyone here is in the same boat, literally and figuratively, as we all face the danger of floods that can wipe out everything,” Thang said.
“We make about VND50,000 a day. When business gets busy, we often hire neighbors to help and they can also make the same amount. No difference.” After being woven, the boat must be soaked in water for a month and then dried.
The last step involves reinforcing the boat’s knitting points with a kind of plastic seal.
Nguyen Hong Thai, a resident of Dinh Tan Hamlet in Thach Dinh, said his family used to own a small boat but it was punctured with holes after saving his family and several pigs during that historic flood.
He then bought the bamboo boat created by Thanh and Thang.
“Without the previous boat, my family would have perished,” Thai said. “But with this new boat, we will be safer when facing the next flood.”
Thanh said Thach Thanh District People’s Committee had supported the two artisans in buying and transporting 900 bamboo trees from the forest.
Luong Xuan Thang, deputy chairman of Thach Dinh People’s Committee, said it would be preferable to develop a source of funding to help the two men buy additional materials to make the boats.
“It’s time for us to rescue ourselves,” said Do Minh Quy, chairman of Thach Thanh People’s Committee.
“If each local family owns a bamboo boat, then we can minimize the damage as much as possible.”
Source: Lao Dong |
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