To be or not to be formal? Rickshaw drivers’ perspectives on tourism and poverty

Abstract

This article examines the views and experiences of rickshaw drivers in Hanoi regarding the tourism–poverty nexus. Observation, interview, and diary methods collected data from 58 drivers, of whom 28 worked for rickshaw companies (formal sector) and 30 were self-employed (informal sector). Formal drivers reported stable work and income and low rates of police confiscation, whereas informal drivers earned more money and had greater work flexibility but faced a higher risk of police confiscation. Although rickshaw driving has improved the living conditions of drivers’ families, Hanoi has proposed a ban that would reduce their incomes. This study argues that considering the opinions of rickshaw drivers may clarify appropriate measures for poverty alleviation and rickshaw management. A paradigm shift is suggested, from quantitative analyses of poverty towards an understanding of poor people’s lives, if tourism is to help alleviate poverty.

Keywords:

• Rickshaw driving
• poverty
• informality
• sustainability
• Vietnam

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded by National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam.

Notes on contributors

V. Dao Truong

Dao Truong is a lecturer in the Department of Tourism and Hotel Management, National Economics University (Vietnam) and an affiliated fellow in the School of Tourism and Hotel Management, North-West University (South Africa). Dao serves on the board of Current Issues in Asian Tourism, Social Marketing Quarterly, and International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing.

Xiaoming Liu

Xiaoming Liu is associate professor and acting program head in the Department of Business Administration, University of Macau (China).

Quynh Pham

Quynh Pham is a lecturer in the Department of Economics, National Economics University (Vietnam).