All the wrinkles gathered together on the cheeks, and the woman's whole face softly relaxed

Woman working by roadside — Shot in the city of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

As I walked through an alley in Ho Chi Minh City, a scene quietly caught my eye. A woman was crouched by the roadside, her hands skillfully working on something delicate. From a distance, I couldn’t quite tell—was she slicing leaves with a small knife, or tying threads as thin as string? Whatever it was, her fingertips moved with the certainty of years of practice.

When I instinctively raised my camera, she noticed and looked up with a sudden smile. It was a shy smile, yet carried a hint of pride. Wrinkles gathered softly across her cheeks, and her entire face seemed to bloom with warmth.

But even as she smiled and acknowledged me, her hands didn’t stop. Whether talking or laughing, her fingers kept moving. This, it seemed, was simply part of her day—her routine, her way of life. There was no need to pose for anyone. She didn’t perform; she just continued.

Ho Chi Minh City on Google Map

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