While checking for cool spots in Hanoi, I found out a Deaf hair salon run by a super friendly Deaf guy and I definitely wanted to check it out.
As usual, it was very hard to find the place. The streets in Hanoi are very narrow and the traffic is always intense. I had to ask for directions more than three times, but it was completely worth it!
How to find Thanh Nguyen’s salon
Address: 55 ngo Van Chuong,Ton Duc Thang, Hanoi, Vietnam
When I got there, a guy smiled at me and asked me to come in. He showed me the chair, thinking I was there to cut my hair!
I laughed and said: “No, I’ll never cut my dreads, but I’d like to meet you!”
Thanh sitted in front of me and gave me a glass of water. He was surprised to know I’m not Deaf, but I’m seeking Deaf Communities worldwide and wanted to know where else I’ve been.
He knew, of course, about the Reaching Out tea house run by Deaf people in Hoi An, and the Deafcraft shop not far away from my Airbnb (also hosted by two Deaf people!).
“The Deaf community here is very active”, Thanh told me. “Especially in Hanoi, there are many many Deaf people!“.
His story
Thanh had a troubled childhood. Born in a Hearing family, expressing himself was nearly impossible. His daily routine was waking up, watching TV, eating, and going back to sleep. Every single day.
Out of desperation, his father sent him to a Hearing school, hoping this would help him to improve and made some friends, but it turned out to be an awful experience.
“I couldn’t understand my classmates and they were making fun of me. The teachers didn’t help me either and I was always lonely”.
Finally, at the age of thirteen, he found a Deaf school in Hanoi. Firm in his decision, he packed everything and went on his own to the capital.
“I couldn’t believe it, but it was actually full of other kids in my same condition. I thought I was a big mess, but there, I saw I was not alone”
After learning Sign Language, Thanh started to properly live! He had friends and was constantly growing.
However, life was still hard on him. He wanted to work, but many employers refused to hire him because he’s Deaf. Even when he was good at the job, people would look bad on him and pay less money.
Finally, one day he went to a hair salon, and that was the first time he saw how to cut and style the hair. A lot of hearing people were learning fast, but for him, it was a tough situation: being the only Deaf and with no interpret.
The best decision for him was to buy supplies and to start practicing on his family and friends. As he was getting better and better, he started dreaming to open his own salon and being his own boss.
As usual, Thanh had to face many challenges. People were sure he wouldn’t be able to succeed and to achieve his goal.
Fortunately, Thanh was way stronger than this and, in 2011, he was able to open his own hair salon. It took some time to improve but, with hard work and dedication, he realized his dream; showing that you can achieve anything.
After a while, he looked back at his own story and realized how many challenges he had to face.
That’s why he decided to train other Deaf employees and give them this big opportunity.
When I visited the hair salon, many Deaf employees were there, working on their own and studying together. It’s great to see that, in addition to giving jobs, he was able to create a safe environment for the Deaf community in Hanoi!
The hair salon itself was beautiful, he had a Deaf graffiti artist who painted some walls, and the place looks amazing!
Meeting Thanh was really empowering. He showed not only to the Deaf community but to everyone, that anything is achievable if you really want it (and you work hard enough!).
His big smile and his friendly attitude were so impressive. He gave me some hints on Sign Language and taught me some useful Signs in International Sign Language.
Have some of you ever heard of a Deaf entrepreneur? Or have you ever met one?
A totally worthy experience! Can’t wait to see what’s next 🙂
Sonia
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