Hmong Woman Becomes Pastry Chef to Support Family

H'er Thi May, 26, from Dien Bien province in northern Vietnam, has transformed from a girl who once subsisted on corn-mixed rice and ginger water to a pastry chef working in a high-end restaurant in Hanoi. She is working diligently to support the livelihoods of her seven siblings and parents. May, the eldest of 10 siblings, grew up in Pu Si village, Muong Mun commune, Dien Bien province. Her childhood was marked by the daily reality of rice mixed with grated cassava, and during lean periods, she ate rice with water and pickled ginger. Her mother, though frail, was constantly engaged in work, caring for livestock and tending to the fields. May began taking care of her younger siblings around the age of three or four, and as she grew older, she carried her younger brother to the market. Under the scorching sun or heavy rain, she walked the 5-6 kilometer mountain path, selling goods at the market with her mother. "I don't remember what I sold, but I clearly remember the feeling of carrying a younger sibling on my back," May said. Witnessing the sacrifices of her mother and elder sisters in the village fueled May's determination to "study hard and pursue a different life." After graduating from high school, due to her family's inability to afford university tuition, she joined a two-year free vocational training program at KOTO, a social enterprise supporting disadvantaged youth. The program provided professional knowledge and English communication skills, aiming for international vocational certification. Her mother gave her just enough money for a bus ticket, saying, "Study hard and live a decent life, so you don't suffer like your parents." In July 2019, May joined a KOTO class. Initially shy and hesitant with modern kitchen equipment and English communication, she gradually gained confidence in an environment that transcended regional differences. Although her studies were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, May successfully completed the program, earning an "Excellent Student" certificate and winning third prize in a pastry competition. She also completed an internship at a five-star hotel in Hanoi and participated in field trips to central Vietnam, realizing, "The world outside my hometown is vast, and I too can be a part of it." After graduation, May began working as a pastry chef at a European-style bakery in the West Lake area of Hanoi. From her first salary, she started sending remittances home. When her parents fell ill or her siblings needed tuition fees, she allocated up to two-thirds of her income for their support. Thanks to this, her mother no longer had to gather wild vegetables to sell. May's independence has become a motivation for her siblings. She mentioned that her siblings back home are now setting their own goals to become car mechanics, teachers, and filmmakers. Currently, May harbors plans to open her own bakery. However, she prioritizes her family's financial support, acknowledging that this may delay the realization of her personal dream. "Living 500 kilometers away from home, there are times when I feel lost, but I always remind myself to move forward," she said. Source: VnExpress