A Haircut Without the Frills
You can get a decent haircut just about anywhere these days. With salons and barber shops appearing on nearly every corner and male grooming more popular than ever, you'd think you'd seen it all. But forget the trendy shops, the beard creams, and the pomades—there’s a simpler, more grounded haircutting tradition that offers both charm and value.
Welcome to the world of the street barber.
The Global Barber on the Street
Across the globe, street barbers have been working outdoors for centuries, offering quick, affordable haircuts to the masses. In countries like India and China, where affordability matters, these barbers continue to serve their communities despite limited resources.
Surprisingly, street barber setups look remarkably similar around the world. A few basic tools, a chair, and a mirror—these are all they need. Here’s a glimpse of street barbers at work in Ecuador.
Vietnam’s Street Barber
In Hanoi, the street barber is a common and much-loved presence. Many of these barbers are ex-military men who cut hair not just to make a living, but to enjoy the social interaction that comes with it.
Street barbering in Vietnam dates back to the 18th century, when French colonists encouraged Vietnamese men to wear their hair short and neat. By the early 1900s, barbering was so popular that an entire “barber village” emerged. In Kim Lien village, generations of families carried on the tradition, producing many of the country’s barbers.
Though Kim Lien no longer functions as a barber village, it still holds an annual festival celebrating its rich history. Visitors receive free haircuts, and barbers from all around gather in honor of the craft.
See more about the festival here.
While some claim the number of street barbers has declined in recent years, the demand remains strong. Barbers young and old continue to offer their valuable service, keeping the tradition alive.
Want to see it in action? Check out Nomad Barber’s experience with street barbers in Vietnam.