Occupational Mobility in the Context of Social Transformation: A Study in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam

This study examines intergenerational occupational mobility in the context of rapid social transformation in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction, it analyzes how cultural, social, and economic capital, together with habitus, shape descendants’ career opportunities and occupational choices relative to their parents. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining a household survey of 163 families with in-depth interviews involving five three-generation cases. Quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics and cross-generational occupational matrices, while qualitative thematic analysis explored the influence of family background, social networks, and cultural norms on career trajectories. Results indicate a strong trend of upward mobility and de-agrarianization, driven by urbanization and labor market expansion. However, these shifts remain substantially conditioned by family origin and the accumulation of cultural and social capital, underscoring the persistence of inequality reproduction through subtle mechanisms. This study extends the application of Bourdieu’s framework to the Vietnamese context, particularly in rapidly urbanizing provincial cities, and provides empirical insights for policy initiatives aimed at fostering equal opportunity and promoting sustainable social mobility.