The Womens Museum in Hanoi

Our last day in Hanoi (March 27) we visited the Womens' Museum. After viewing the section about the role of women during the French and American wars, we proceeded to the very fine exhibit about women street vendors in Hanoi. It was a multi-media presentation with poster sized photos of women street vendors with extensive accounts of their circumstances as well as some video with interviews of the vendors themselves, their immediate family, and buyers. We learned about the difficult lives these women lead; how they come in from the countryside and the long hours and little money they earn to support their families.

The museum let us know about the attempts of the city government to limit the activities of the vendors who are considered by some to be a nuisance clogging the crowded sidewalks and contributing greatly to the garbage problem. It is not clear to me how much this law is being enforced since we have seen such vendors all over Hanoi. Nevertheless, the interviewed vendors complained about being harrassed by the police and sometimes even fined. Interestingly, the museum has taken a firm stand in support of allowing the vendors to work the streets of Hanoi. The museum also has a section in which local residents are given the opportunity to present their differing perspectives about the vendors, both pro and con.

I was glad to be able to view this exhibit, since it has given me added perspective towards the numerous street vendors we see and deal with on a daily basis here. I hope a lot of people, both tourists and locals, will see this important exhibit and learn from its humane perspective.