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Street Vendor Livelihoods and Everyday Politics in Hanoi, Vietnam

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  • Sarah Turner
  • Laura Schoenberger

Abstract

The alternative ‘diverse economies’ vision of J. K. Gibson-Graham and supporters regarding how people make a living outside the capitalist framework, lists street vendors and informal economies of the global South as potential components. This article critiques the relevance of this vision for street vendor livelihoods in a politically socialist locale, albeit one embracing neo-liberal modernity. In their drive to create a modern, ‘civilised’ capital, Vietnam’s central government and Hanoi’s municipal authorities have a particular image of security, orderliness and development. Street vendors disrupt this picture and since 2008 have been negotiating a ban in many preferred locales. Building upon urban livelihoods, everyday politics and resistance concepts, an analysis is made of in-depth interviews with itinerant and fixed-stall vendors to unravel their heterogeneous responses to such revanchist policies. Despite subtle covert and overt resistance tactics, the study reveals that celebrated ‘community economies’ and alternative economic visions remain rare in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Sarah Turner & Laura Schoenberger, 2012. "Street Vendor Livelihoods and Everyday Politics in Hanoi, Vietnam," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 49(5), pages 1027-1044, April.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:49:y:2012:i:5:p:1027-1044
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098011408934
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2009. "Country Social Analysis : Ethnicity and Development in Vietnam - Main Report," World Bank Publications - Reports 3094, The World Bank Group.
    2. World Bank, 2009. "Country Social Analysis : Ethnicity and Development in Vietnam - Summary report," World Bank Publications - Reports 3093, The World Bank Group.
    3. Michaud, Jean, 2010. "Editorial – Zomia and beyond," Journal of Global History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(02), pages 187-214, July.
    4. Turner, Sarah, 2010. "Borderlands and border narratives: a longitudinal study of challenges and opportunities for local traders shaped by the Sino-Vietnamese border," Journal of Global History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(2), pages 265-287, July.
    5. Bloom, Gerald, 1998. "Primary health care meets the market in China and Vietnam," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(3), pages 233-252, June.
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