(VOVworld) – The work of street cleaners is hard and dangerous. But with a passion for their work, they help to keep the streets and environment clean in the interests of everyone’s health. Bich Huyen from Ho Chi Minh city reports:

Le Thi Loan has been working at District 3 Community Service Company in Ho Chi Minh city for more than 30 years. Loan says that all workers are equal and should be honored, and that she is proud of what she has been doing: “I began to work here when I was 19. At first, I only intended to work for a while and then shift to another job but, well, I’m still here. I’ve found this job interesting. Although the work is hard, sharing my time with my other co-workers has helped me forget about the hardships. I hope that people will stop littering and become more aware of the environment. Just by littering, they make our work a waste of time and make us sad.”

Like Loan, Nguyen Thi Hue has been in the work for 24 years. No matter the weather, Hue and others have to walk long distances to keep the streets clean. Hue told us during her break that she had gotten used to the work and that her biggest motivation is the support of her husband and children. For more than 10 years, Hue has not been able to celebrate New Year’s Eve with her family. She said: “I just go home after finishing my shift. My work is most difficult on rainy days and at night but since it is my duty, I must finish it. We are like brothers and sisters in the company and at home my husband helps me a lot because I don’t have enough time to take care of my family.”


Ho Chi Minh city’s Urban Environment Company has more than 1,700 workers, nearly 300 of which are women. Deputy Director Duong Van Hai says: “Most of the female workers assume the heavy and hazardous work at night but they always fulfill their task even during holidays. They also have to take care of their families and they have been doing well. Our greatest happiness is to see clean streets.”

Street cleaners do a simple but significant job. Silently, day by day, they add beauty to the city.