Participation of Ethnic Groups in Activities in Border Markets

Abstract

The study shows that the development of Vietnam-China border markets since the early 1990s has turned the remote border area into a dynamic socio-economic region following the implementation of various investment policies, especially market improvement and developing policies by the Vietnamese government. Increased livelihood-related activities have been generated for the local ethnic people with the development of the border market. Ethnic groups actively exchange and trade goods in this border social space. The border market has become a place for ethnic groups from inside and outside the locality to gather and trade, creating a vibrant, bustling economy and culture. For the region’s ethnic groups, income generated from market activities is an important financial source supplementing the livelihoods of many households. Since inception, the local economy has improved, the poverty level has decreased, and infrastructure has been upgraded. The findings demonstrate the need for more place- sensitive policies on market development and management in the border areas in general and in the Vietnam-China border area in particular.