Many foreigners have expressed sympathy for aggressive peddlers, who have been described as a nuisance to visitors in Hoi An Ancient Town -- an internationally renowned tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.

Setting aside the frustration caused by street vendors in Hoi An, who persistently approach tourists, obstructing the tourists’ path, and aggressively promoting their products, the foreign community has left numerous kind words for the peddlers in the comment section below Tuoi Tre News’ recent article on the issue.

“They’re desperate to make a living. Go easy on them. Try and put yourself in their shoes,” reads the top comment by Nicholas Miller, hailing from New Zealand.

James Thorpe, a reader living in Australia, agreed, saying, “Their [sic] just trying to make a living.”

Christine Livesey, an expat living in Ho Chi Minh City, said she has “so much sympathy for the lives [such street vendors] struggle with.”

Another Australian reader named Margaret Anne McCormack called for empathy, particularly for lottery ticket vendors.

From her experience, McCormack commented that a large part of lottery ticket vendors in Vietnam are the elderly. 

“Imagine your grandmother having to sell tickets so she can eat. Be kind,” McCormack said.

Jessica Tran, also living in Australia, highlighted that purchasing products from street vendors means helping them “with rent, food, utility bills and most of all, educational fees,” as in Southeast Asia, education is not free, and all vendors want their kids to go to school. 

“Poor [people] gotta live too, the vendors are doing it especially tough,” Tran said.

Tran, along with other readers, advised that visitors to Hoi An adopt the right approach for handling this peddler issue.

“Just politely decline if you’re not interested and move on, no need to take things seriously,” Tran said.

Joss Huot, who claimed that he has been living in Ho Chi Minh City since 2018 and has visited Vietnam since 2006, recommended using “Khong cam on” (No, thanks) and “adding a smile.”

“It is all about the attitude you have towards them,” Huot stated. 

“I guarantee you that with some respect, a smile and a few right words, they will leave you alone.”

In the case of Tony Ryan, another reader from Australia, he invited elderly peddlers to join him for a meal when they attempted to sell him products in the middle of his restaurant dining experience.

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