The growth model embraced by Vietnam during the last two decades, in an
urbanization context, has prompted deep social economic transformation. The
private sector has been thriving with the transition of a command economy towards
a “socialist-oriented market economy” since the Doi Moi (Reform) launched in 1986.
Economic growth has helped reduce poverty considerably, but in the mean time, spark
increasing social inequality. The gap within a region and between urban and social
areas has widened (Cling et alii, 2009). Market freedom, meanwhile, paved the way for
the development of an informal economy.