Author's name:TA THI TAM
Thesis title:BORDER MARKETS AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DYNAMICS IN THE VIETNAM-CHINA BORDER REGION FROM 1990 TO THE PRESENT
Dissertation field: Anthropology Code: 62 22 70 01
Name of the postgraduate training unit: University of Social Sciences and Humanities - Vietnam National University, Hanoi.
1. Purpose and scope of the thesis
This dissertation has four main research objectives: firstly, to study markets in the Vietnam-China border region; secondly, to study the characteristics of markets; thirdly, to study the connections through markets such as social networks, population flows, and socio-cultural aspects; and fourthly, to highlight the role of markets in local economic development and to explore policy implications for development issues in the Vietnam-China border region.
The subject of this thesis is border markets and the dynamics of cultural, social, and economic practices of border communities in their daily market activities. Specifically, the thesis studies four markets in three provinces: Loc Binh Market (Loc Binh town, Lang Son province); Coc Leu Market (Lao Cai city), Can Cau Market (Si Ma Cai district), Lao Cai province; and Mong Cai Market (Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province). Loc Binh Market is a traditional market of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, specializing in agricultural seedlings and cross-border labor. Can Cau Market is a Hmong market that was recently re-established in 1996 but has become the largest buffalo market in Northern Vietnam. Coc Leu Market is a local market in Lao Cai city, bordering Ha Khau town in China, specializing in the sale of electronic products and household goods. The Mong Cai money market served as a flexible and mobile credit system, meeting the diverse needs of Vietnamese and Chinese merchants for the exchange of goods on various scales.
2. Research methods used
To conduct this research, in addition to a literature review, the following specific research methods were applied:
Questionnaire survey,This study was conducted at two research sites, Can Cau and Loc Binh markets, to quantify the characteristics of the population, ethnicity, occupation, economic conditions, income, activities, and participation of ethnic groups in the market's commodity chain.
In-depth interview,This was a crucial and effective method that helped me complete this thesis. In-depth interviews (approximately 100) were conducted with three target groups: market traders (both within and outside the country), households with members involved in market trading, and local officials (market managers and local government). The interviews focused on the history and development of the markets, their characteristics and role in local livelihood development, and the connections through the markets, such as social networks, population flows, and money flows in border markets.
Group discussionThis study was conducted with representatives from three target groups who underwent in-depth interviews. At each research site, I conducted two focus group discussions for each target group, with five participants in each group. A total of 24 focus group discussions were held across four markets, involving 120 participants. These discussions focused on three main topics: the activities and participation of ethnic groups in the market supply chain; the benefits, costs, and challenges faced by these groups in developing border markets; and the impact of the markets on local livelihood development.
Observe and participate in trading activities at the market and the lives of the local ethnic groups in the area where the market is located, as well as households whose members participate in market activities and do business with ethnic groups across the border.
3. Main results and conclusions
3.1. Main results
Firstly, the thesis analyzes the characteristics of the market system in the Vietnam-China border region through four research sites. From this, it points out the role of the border market system in the socio-economic development process of the Vietnam-China border region since the normalization of relations between Vietnam and China to the present day.
Secondly, based on an analysis of the characteristics of goods and trade transactions at the four market locations studied, the study identifies the distinctive features and strengths in economic exchanges of each ethnic group, geographical area, and social space within the border region.
Thirdly, it is necessary to clarify the social networks as well as the socio-cultural factors that ethnic groups in the region possess in order to overcome challenges in developing livelihoods in border areas.
Fourth, through analyzing the socio-cultural interactions and exchanges of ethnic groups within the market space, identify the benefits/advantages as well as the losses/disadvantages for each ethnic group in the process of participating in the development of the border market.
Fifthly, the thesis points out the suitability/unsuitability of policies in border region development, thereby providing a scientific basis for policymakers to refer to and formulate policies and strategies for border region development.
3.2. Conclusion
Border markets are explored from the perspective of socio-cultural spaces containing economic dynamism. In this study, I focus on four different market locations in the Vietnam-China border region, using both point-based and area-based research approaches. Furthermore, I apply theoretical frameworks on border regions, social space, social networks, and social exchange to gain a clearer understanding of the economic and cultural interactions and exchanges among ethnic groups in the Vietnam-China border area. From these conceptions of border markets that transcend administrative border boundaries, I draw the following conclusions:
1. A prominent feature of markets in the Vietnam-China border region is their large, open spaces facilitating economic, cultural, and social exchanges, especially their contribution to the livelihood development of ethnic groups in the region, inter-regionally, and across borders.
2. The goods in border markets are diverse and abundant in terms of origin, source, nature, and ethnic characteristics. The buying and selling activities in border markets have impacted the livelihoods of both self-producing and self-consuming individuals, as well as professional traders in these markets.
3. The network of social relationships in trading activities is also placed within the context of socio-cultural interaction and cultural space in border markets.
4. In the socio-economic context of border regions, border markets play a crucial role in the socio-economic life of border residents, especially in cross-border trade, forming a network of traders and merchants in the border area. In addition, border markets also make a positive contribution to meeting the livelihood and living needs of border regions.
If we view markets as a manifestation of development, then border markets are not only a reflection of economic development but also of socio-cultural development. By examining the four markets under study as a single research point, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the development of the border market system between Vietnam and China within the dynamic socio-economic development of the border region.
DOCTORAL THESIS ABSTRACT
The author's name: TẠ THỊ TÂM
Thesis title:Border Markets and Socio-Economic Dynamics in the Vietnam-China Borderlands Since 1990
Scientific branch of the thesis: Anthropology
Major: Code: 62 22 70 01
The name of postgraduate training institution: University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University
1. Thesis purpose and research subjects:
Purpose:the thesis has 4 main research purposes, including: (i) research markets in Vietnam - China borderlands; (ii) research characteristics of the markets; (iii) research the relations formed through the markets like social network, folk, culture and society and (iv) the role that markets play in developing local economy, and suggests policies to develop Vietnam - China borderlands.
Subjects:the socio - economic dynamics in the borderland markets. Specifically, the thesis studied 4 markets in 3 provinces: Loc Binh market (Loc Binh town, Lang Son province); Coc Leu market (Lao Cai City, Lao Cai province); Can Cau market (Si Ma Cai District, Lao Cai province); Mong Cai market (Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province)
2. Research methods
The thesis mentioned some definitions of borderland, borderland market, socio – economic dynamics.
To conduct the research, except for detailed documents, the following methods are adopted:
Questionaire: carried out in Can Cau and Loc Binh market in order to quantify the characteristics about residents, people, occupation, economic conditions, income, activities and ethnic migration' participation in the supply chain at the markets.
In-depth interview: an important and effective method that helped me to finish this thesis. I carried out about 100 in-depth interviews with 3 subjects including (i) market merchants trading with the same or different people inside or outside the country; (ii) families whose members do trading at the markets; and (iii) local officials (market managers and local authorities). The interviews focused on the establishment and development history of the market, the features and role of markets in promoting local livelihood; the relations formed through the markets like social network, people flow, money flow in borderland markets.
Group interview: conducted with representatives of the 3 subject groups which joined in – depth interviews. At each research location, I did 2 interviews for each group of 5 members, focus groups classified into gender, age (each group includes from three to seven people), total 24 group discussions – 120 participants at 4 markets. Those discussions focused on 3 points: activities and participation of ethnic areas in supply chain at market, the advantages and disadvantages that those minorites have to overcome during development process of borderland markets, and the impact of markets on promoting local livelihood.
I also observed and participated in trading activities at the markets and daily life activites of the ethnic region where markets happen, or the families whose members joined market activities and trading with foreigners.
3. Major results and conclusions
3.1.The major results
- Firstly, the thesis analyzes the features of markets in Vietnam – China borderland through 4 subject markets, and thus points out the role of borderland markets in developing socio economic in Vietnam – China borderland ever since Vietnam – China relations normalized.
- Secondly, the analysis of the characteristics of goods and trading activities in 4 subject markets shows striking features and advantages in economic exchanges of each person, each location and society in borderland.
- Thirdly, clarifying the social network as well as socio – cultural factors that local people strive to overcome the challenges of developing local livelihood.
- Fourthly, by analyzing the social and cultural exchanges of people at the market, the thesis points out the pros and cons of each ethnic minority in the process of participation in the development of the border market.
- Fifthly, the thesis also emphasizes the suitability of the policies on developing borderlands, thus providing scientific basis for policy – makers to refer to and propose more effective policies.
3.2.Revisions
- In this thesis on borderland markets which were discovered from socio - cultural perspective with economic dynamics, I focus on exploring the 4 markets in Vietnam - China borderland marketsin details. Besides, the theoretical frameworks on borderland, social space, social network and exchanges are also adopted to have a better insight into socio - economic exchanges of the peoples living in Vietnam – China borderland. From the concept of borderland market extended beyond administrative border, I would like to draw some conclusions as below:
1. The striking features of Vietnam - China borderland markets include open space on a large scale with economic, cultural and social exchange activities, especially the contribution of border markets in the development of ethnic groups' livelihoods in the region, inter-region and cross-border.
2. Commodities in the border market are diverse and rich in origin, properties, ethnic characteristics of goods. Trading activities in the border market have had an impact on the livelihoods of autonomous people and the professional traders living in the borderland.
3. The network of social relations in trading activities is also placed in the cultural and social interaction and cultural space in the border market.
4. In the socio-economic context in the border areas, the borderland market plays an important role in the socio-economic life of the border residents, especially in cross-border trade activities, forming the trading network in the borderland. Besides, the border market also contributes positively to meeting the needs of livelihoods and life in the border areas.
From the viewpoint of four subject markets as a research point to get an overview of the development of the Vietnam-China boarder market system in the socio-economic dynamic development of the border region.
Author:ussh
Newer news
Older news
