Date Received: 27-02-2026 / Date Accepted: 09-06-2026 / Date Published: 28-07-2026
Situated within the institutional voids of emerging economies, this study integrated Social Capital Theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework to decode the survival mechanisms of informal rural-to-urban migrants. Employing a rigorous spatial-temporal intercept sampling strategy, cross-sectional data from 238 agricultural street vendors in Hanoi were empirically validated using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings revealed that sidewalk adaptive capacity acted as an operative black-box, fully mediating the translation of latent network resources into sustainable livelihood performance. Crucially, bridging social capital exerted a significantly stronger leverage on adaptive agility compared to bonding ties. By conceptualizing street vending tactics as informal dynamic capabilities, this research theoretically challenged traditional zero-tolerance clearance policies. Ultimately, it advocated for an inclusive urban governance paradigm, highlighting informal agrifood systems as highly resilient arteries for urban food security that align seamlessly with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
