Ms. Le Thi Hai is the oldest female porter at the market at Ong Lanh Bridge in HCM City. Hai, a native of the southern province Ben Tre, has been working for nearly half a century as a porter at this market, with her trolley.

During that long time, her life took place at night, at the market, where she works very hard to earn money for her children.

The trolley not only helps her to not fall down, but it is also the bed while she waitsto be hired. Hai said she would work until she is unable to do so because she did not want to depend on her children or anyone else, although she has monthly social allowances of VND240,000 ($12).

At 10pm every night, she pushes her trolley from her home to Ong Lanh Bridge market to work until the next morning. She earns several dollars a night. She said the trolley is her second feet. Since she has had this job, she has lost three trolleys.

The woman mainly carries betel and areca from trucks to stalls.

During free time, she collects scrap or takes a short break.

Ms. Huynh Thi Nhung is Hai’s employer and also a friend for over 40 years. 

The work is repeated every day, lasting from 10pm until the next morning. At 6am, the woman returns home.

Ms. Sau said her job is very hard but she likes it because it is honest work.