Intra-ethnic Relations in Economic Activities in the Vietnam-China Border Area

Abstract

Currently, three primary economic relationships exist in the Vietnam-China border region: intra-ethnic, interethnic, and cross-border relations. In particular, the economic relations within ethnic groups are still under-researched. Within the intra-ethnic economic relationship, alongside mutual assistance activities, new factors have emerged that impact socio-economic life and security in the border areas. This article analyses the intraethnic relationship across three aspects: agriculture, commerce, and employment, to identify the characteristics of intra-ethnic economic relations in the Vietnam-China border area today. The analysis is grounded in the results of fieldwork studying the Tay, Nung, Hmong, Dao, and Kinh ethnic groups in three border areas: Hoanh Mo commune, Binh Lieu district, Quang Ninh province (August 2022); Ta Lung town, Quang Hoa district, Cao Bang province (October 2022); and Ban Lau commune, Muong Khuong district, Lao Cai province (March 2023), as well as the author’s fieldwork data from the period of 2019-2021 in other areas.