Eleven years on route 19

Hoa, 47, has driven route 19 in Ho Chi Minh City for eleven years. We have changed her name at her request. She starts at 4:30 every morning, so we met her at the terminal during her break and asked what the job is really like. She was happy to talk, although she checked her watch several times.

Why did you become a bus driver? 'I used to sell clothes at a market, but the income was unstable. A friend told me the bus company was looking for drivers, and I thought, why not? Honestly, I was terrified during the first week. The bus is huge, and the streets are full of motorbikes that appear from nowhere.'

What is the hardest part? 'Not the traffic, actually. You get used to it. The hardest part is being tired. I have to stay focused for eight hours, and one small mistake can hurt somebody. I sleep early, I drink a lot of water, and I never use my phone at the wheel. On long days I eat my lunch in ten minutes at the terminal. Some passengers get angry when we are late, but most are very understanding.'

What do you enjoy? 'The regulars. There is a student who waves at me every morning, and an old man who gives sweets to the children. Once a woman left her bag on my bus, and I drove it to her office after work. She cried and gave me a box of mangoes. Things like that make me feel useful.'

What advice would you give to passengers? 'Please move to the back, hold on tight, and give your seat to older people. And smile at the driver! We spend more time on this bus than we do at home. Nobody ever says thank you when they get off, so when somebody does, it makes my day.'