Ties that Bind: Cultural Identity, Class, and Law in Vietnam's Labor Resistance (Southeast Asia Program Publications)

Ties that Bind explores Vietnamese labor history from the French colonial period to the contemporary era, tracing a vibrant tradition of workers' resistance to oppressive conditions. Through interviews with employees, organizers, journalists, and officials, as well as evidence from government reports and underground protest materials, this book analyzes a broad range of workers’ experiences on the factory floor and in their dormitories. Evidence demonstrates that, at critical times, shared cultural ties have propelled Vietnamese workers toward "class moments" inspiring them to fight collectively for their rights. Tran’s detailed investigation shows that labor activism is a hallmark of modern Vietnam. This work addresses key questions about global commerce and the factory workers who sustain it.