Report from the field: street vendors and the informal sector in Hanoi

摘要: Since Vietnam's doi moi ("Renovation") reforms of 1986, the nation's nominally communist political economy now permits a domestic free market, private ownership, and participation in international trade. Some epiphenomena moi?urbanization, tourism, burgeoning informal economy?were brought into view this summer during state campaign to rationalize urban space by eliminating street vending from several sectors Hanoi. As Regina Austin points out her discussion African American vendors Philadelphia: "Cities have long history trying drive streets or restrict their access" (Austin 1994, p. 2121). Contests over trade public sphere are not new, globally Hanoi, but each struggle is uniquely shaped local history, economic forces, ideological contests. In brief discussion, I inquire what at stake materially symbolically Hanoi government's ban on vending. The heavily staffed, energetic, ubiquitous. Old Quarter, women with shoulder poles carry meat, fish, eggs, bread, vegetables, bananas, mangoes, fresh coconuts, flowers, plastic bags sliced pineapple all town; tourists sometimes borrow vendor's baskets conical hat pose for photograph. From early morning midnight, maneuver bicycles, carts, wagons stacked merchandise through traffic. Vending highly specialized goods diverse: baskets, feather dusters, lottery tickets, incense, haircuts, chewing gum, motorbike taxis; tourists, postcards, purses, photocopy editions Bao Ninh's Sorrow War Graham Greene's Quiet offer. July 2008, citing an imperative "beautify city," Hanoi's city government announced partial sidewalk-based commerce. Authorities generated list 62 streets?commercial