Abstract

Flooding has long caused significant economic, social, and environmental impacts, not only at the national level but also globally. In fact, flooding in general, and urban flooding in particular, has severely affected livelihood activities and daily life in local communities. Through the analysis of studies on flooding issues and employing in-depth interview methods, this paper examines the coping responses of market vendors to flooding at Thu Duc market, Ho Chi Minh City.  According to the trader, the main cause of flooding is the low-lying terrain of the market and the inefficient drainage system. Flooding has considerably disrupted both the flow of goods and everyday commercial activities of small traders at Thu Duc market. In confronting these challenges, traders exhibit a notable degree of agency by proactively implementing measures aimed at mitigating flood impacts, thereby demonstrating their adaptive capacity within a highly vulnerable marketplace. These responses are shaped by individual risk perceptions, available resources, and prior experiential knowledge, yielding short-term effectiveness during flood events. The findings suggest a new approach to researching urban traditional markets by viewing small traders not merely as passive recipients of impact, but as active agents capable of shaping their own business environments.