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Description

Some of you may remember this man from a portrait I took back in 2013 during my last visit to Hoi An, Vietnam. I recently revisited him at his home in a small fishing village. His name is Le Sa, now 79 years old, living the same lifestyle I remember. He used to be a fisherman but after an unfortunate accident he was forced to give up fishing. His kids live far away in Saigon, and do not help out financially. He is alone, making very little money to make ends meet, trying to survive and live a healthy lifestyle. Le Sa, says it's always very difficult in the winter for him, as his stomach hurts, he struggles to work for long periods at a time. On the upside Le Sa, now makes Coracles (small, lightweight semi sphere boats). The boats are oval in shape and very similar to half a walnut shell, the structure is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods or bamboo, and tied with willow bark traditionally in Wales, but Le Sa uses bamboo for most of his designs.

It was special catching up with him as last time I felt shy about taking his picture, however, this time Etienne Bossot Photography helped translate and I think Le Sa remembered me. He welcomed me into his home, pulled up a chair and we had a cigarette together. I love these kind of moments, interacting with people I've met on my travels.

Description

Some of you may remember this man from a portrait I took back in 2013 during my last visit to Hoi An, Vietnam. I recently revisited him at his home in a small fishing village. His name is Le Sa, now 79 years old, living the same lifestyle I remember. He used to be a fisherman but after an unfortunate accident he was forced to give up fishing. His kids live far away in Saigon, and do not help out financially. He is alone, making very little money to make ends meet, trying to survive and live a healthy lifestyle. Le Sa, says it's always very difficult in the winter for him, as his stomach hurts, he struggles to work for long periods at a time. On the upside Le Sa, now makes Coracles (small, lightweight semi sphere boats). The boats are oval in shape and very similar to half a walnut shell, the structure is made of a framework of split and interwoven willow rods or bamboo, and tied with willow bark traditionally in Wales, but Le Sa uses bamboo for most of his designs.

It was special catching up with him as last time I felt shy about taking his picture, however, this time Etienne Bossot Photography helped translate and I think Le Sa remembered me. He welcomed me into his home, pulled up a chair and we had a cigarette together. I love these kind of moments, interacting with people I've met on my travels.