Several street vendors in Ho Chi Minh City have taken to selling their products in the middle of a national highway, despite the obvious dangers of peddling goods on a busy roadway.

In an effort to pocket extra cash, these vendors weave themselves through endless lines of trucks and cars on a section of National Highway 1A running through District 12 and Binh Tan District.

The vendors typically carry lottery tickets, drinks, fruit, or small bags of boiled peanuts near areas with traffic lights.  From 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, they wait for the light to turn red before pushing their carts through stopped vehicles to offer products to motorists.

A drink vendor pushes in the middle of the roadway. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to Phong, a 38-year-old drink vendor, using the roadway as a marketplace in the blistering Saigon heat is extremely dangerous and exhausting, but financially rewarding.

He claims to earn an average of VND300,000 (US$13.18) to VND400,000 ($17.57) each day on the highway.

A vendor waits at the side of the road for potential buyers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Phong’s enthusiasm is shared by other traders who say the risk is worth the reward of reaching more customers, especially considering they cannot afford a decent venue for their business.

Local residents, however, point out that using the highway as a marketplace might be too risky. According to local resident Thuy, 36, several sellers have been injured while selling goods to commuters.

A seller pushes his cart through the middle of the street. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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