In Vietnam many people make a living by fixing broken things instead of selling new ones. This repair culture shows a cheap and green way to keep everyday gadgets working, and it is worth learning about.

The independent watchmaker The Anh at Gia Cat Watch in Da Nang charged VND3.5 million for a full watch service. He also made a broken escape spring for VND1 million. The official dealer had quoted VND19 million and a three‑month wait, so the local repair was far cheaper and faster.

Local repair shops also fixed the author’s headphones, a beard‑trimmer battery and a treadmill motor. Each item was repaired locally, so the author did not need to buy a new pair of headphones, a new trimmer or a new treadmill.

The author says repairing before recycling is better for the environment, because the West usually recycles after throwing things away while Vietnam tries to fix first. He suggests Western shoppers should first ask, “Can someone fix it?” before buying a new product.