World Food Policy Volume/Issue 2-2/3-1 Fall 2015/Spring 2016 | Page 74

Toward a Restricted Tolerance of Street Vending of Food in Hanoi Districts

Consumers found it important
to have makeshift selling points to
meet the demand of the local residents,
especially elderly persons who have
restricted mobility and financial capacity.
Consumers highlighted the advantages
of these points: low prices, freshness, and
friendly relationships between sellers and
consumers. However, they are concerned
about produce origin (in particular,
they prefer vegetables that originate
from periurban areas where production
conditions have been certified as “safe” by
Hanoi authorities) and accurate weighing
by street vendors. If these concerns were
addressed, street vending would be fully
supported by the residents (see Box 2).

The street vendors pointed out
that their activity generated employment
and income for themselves and their
families. There is no other activity
that they can engage in. Hence, street
vending contributes to employment,
family stability, and social security.
Street vendors, often farmers themselves,
say that they pay attention to the way
the vegetables are produced and make

purchases of vegetables based on their
origin (see Box 2).

As for the difficulties faced by
street vendors from the police, the
police representatives replied that street
vendors frequently disrupt traffic by
crossing streets just anywhere or setting
up on places that obstruct traffic.

The main objectives and
constraints
of
stakeholders
are
summarized in Table 1.

Based on the experience in Kim
Lien market and Phuong Mai Ward,
participants reached a consensus on
what makes a good street vending model.
First, there must be a meeting of minds
among the residential group leaders. A
representative of the residential group
is needed who is willing to take some
risk and build a relationship with the
Communist Party secretaries of the
residential groups and local Women’s
Union. This ensures the support of the
ward leaders. Second, there must be
cooperation on the part of ward leaders
who understand the street vendors
need to earn a living. In all cases, there

Table 1. Main objectives and constraints of stakeholders
Street vendors
Objectives

Residents

Livelihoods

Cheap access to
food

Policemen
Fluid traffic

Trust in food
safety
Constraints

High fines

Little knowledge
on origin of food

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Torn between
compassion and
duty