The lives of female sex workers in Vietnam

Findings from a qualitative study

Bibliographic Data

ID15098004
AuthorsAnh D Ngo, Anh Ngo (0000-0002-8437-5787, The University of Queensland, corresponding author), Sheryl A Mccurdy, Sheryl Mccurdy (0000-0003-0526-1608, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Michael W Ro (0000-0002-5718-9989, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Michael W Ross, Christine Markham (0000-0003-0587-894X, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Eric A Ratliff (The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston), Hang T B Pham, Hang Thanh Pham (0009-0008-1055-5153, Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics)
Year2007
Volume9
Issue6
Pages555-570
Publication date2007-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691050701380018
PMID17963096
OpenAlexW2159720027
LanguageEN
Citations received24
References cited6

To facilitate better understanding of the environment and power structures in which sex work in Vietnam takes place, this study examined the sex workers' social and economic lives, their working environment, social relationships and presentation of self in everyday social contacts and interactions. Thirty in-depth interviews and 14 focus groups were conducted with street-based and venue-based sex workers in the cities of Da Nang and Hanoi. Results show that sex workers live and work within a complex system involving multiple relationships. In any of these relations, women have limited power to protect their personal security and secure payment for services rendered. Economic hardship is a major problem facing street-level sex workers and contributes to unsafe sexual practices. Venue-based sex workers worry less about economic hardships as such, but frequently incur gambling debts. Women also reported incidents of abuse and experiences of social stigma. Although many women exhibited a strong desire to leave sex work, they found themselves trapped in the sex industry by the lack of alternative employment options. This study provides evidence that socio-psychological factors must be addressed along with risky behaviours to promote women's well-being and social integration

Business · Focus group · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Qualitative research · Sex work · Sex workers · Social stigma · Sociology · Stigma (botany · Demography · Gender, Feminism, and Media · Medicine · Psychology · Sex work and related issues · Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology · Social Psychology · Marketing

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