The veggie vendors – I’m not sure how long they’ve been doing it, but often when I was up at dawn for exercise, I could already see their bikes parked there, their lively chatter filling the air. Rain or shine, they’re always there. I heard they drive all the way from the countryside in Quang Nam, traveling for hours before dawn to set up here, and they stay until the shops start opening before making the journey back. They never miss a day. When I came back, they laughed heartily and asked, 'Home for Tet, kid?'.

Danang, Tet 2022.