Micro-Merchants

There's no shortage of poor people in Hanoi.  Many of them are on the sidewalks or along the roads all day long.  But they aren't beggars, just micro-merchants.  And I mean really small-scale businesses.  Women sell fruit, sandwiches, flowers, and other household items.  Men often operate motorbike taxis or provide "open-air" barbershop services (just imagine a shave and haircut underneath a shade tree).  Everything costs money, but whatever they're selling is pretty cheap.  For example, someone can get their height and weight for a mere 3,000 Dong (about $.15). Scales are readily available for this purpose.

Portability is the key feature of these "fly-by-night" operations because they are against the law in Vietnam.  But that doesn't stop the peddlers from plying their trade.  Women will often have their merchandise on a bicycle, or in rolling cart, or even placed on a blanket that covers a portion of the sidewalk.  That way, they can grab it and go to avoid the police.  Now that's dedication.  I think its admirable, despite being illegal.  At least they are working.  No job is beneath them.  This is situation is so different from the U.S.  We are world famous for creating incentives for people NOT to work.  Think about it and draw your own conclusions.