Abstract 

Over centuries, ethnic minority communities in the north of Vietnam have developed complex farming systems well-adapted to their environments. Much of this is comprised of contextualized traditional knowledge concerned with enhancing resilience to climatic risk. This study employs mixed qualitative methods in ten villages in rural Bac Kan Province to

document examples of sustainability in the production of banana and medicinal plants; maize and red peanut; taro, pachyrhizus, and maize; and green bean. Overall, this study illustrates unique ways that indigenous knowledge and agroecological farming practices can increase resilience, mitigate risk, and strengthen livelihoods in marginalized communities.

Indigenous knowledge and climate change adaptation of ethnic minorities in the mountainous regions of Vietnam: A case study of the Yao people in Bac Kan Province

Ho Ngoc Son, Dong Thi Linh Chi, Aaron Kingsbury

Abstract

This study focuses on the accumulated indigenous knowledge of the Yao ethnic minority in Bac Kan Province of Vietnam. Through centuries of observation and experimentation, the Yao people have developed complex farming systems, cultural practices, and a knowledge base well-suited to their environments. Data for this study was collected through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions to gather indigenous knowledge on native crop varieties and animal breeds, weather forecasting, and the timing and location of cultivation practices. In so doing, this study documents unique examples of how indigenous knowledge is being used alone and blended with scientific knowledge to make accurate decisions and help local communities adapt to climate change. The case of the Yao people in northern Vietnam supports the argument that if indigenous knowledge were better integrated into adaptation planning and policies, its conservation and application would enhance resiliency to climate change in indigenous communities and beyond.

Social Vulnerability, Climate Change, and Ethnic Minority Communities in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam

Ho Ngoc Son, Aaron Kingsbury

Abstract 

Vietnam is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and the poor ethnic minority groups in marginalized areas are the ones who are more adversely affected. This paper focuses on the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam, which is the most impoverished region in the country. It employs a participatory case study approach in assessing the vulnerability of the three ethnic minority groups in the region, namely, the Tay, Dao, and Hmong. The results show that each of the three groups is vulnerable to climate change in different ways. This study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between ethnicity and vulnerability. The vulnerability of specific communities to climate change impacts gets amplified due to their already-existing vulnerabilities, which is accordingly determined by the complex links among culture, geography, marginalization, and the communities’ lack of access to resources and capital. This underscores the importance of looking beyond simplistic technical response measures; instead, policy and decision makers need to address both climatic and non-climatic conditions, including the drivers of social vulnerability. Only through this amalgamation of approaches can planners develop measures that are flexible enough to incorporate and mitigate the existing and many “new” vulnerabilities emerging from rapidly evolving human-environment systems.

Community adaptation and climate change in the Northern Mountainous Region of Vietnam: A case study of ethnic minority people in Bac Kan Province

Ho Ngoc Son, Aaron Kingsbury

Abstract

Vietnam is highly vulnerable to climate change, and those people most severely affected tend to be members of ethnic minority groups living in poverty in marginalized areas. This paper focuses on the Tay, Dao, and Hmong ethnic minorities the Northern Mountainous Region (NMR) of the country, and employs a mixed method qualitative approach to assess their adaptation to a changing climate in the region as a case study. The NMR is the poorest area of Vietnam, and each of these ethnic minority groups was found to be both vulnerable and adapt in different ways. Results show that adaptation strategies faced considerable barriers, often directly influenced by gender, age, ethnicity, wealth, and location. Many of locally-employed coping strategies were also found to be conditional on the strength and foresight (and futility and the lack of foresight) of institutions and policy makers on the local, regional, and central levels. While local knowledge and social capital did ease pressures, policy failures more typically led to mal-adapation and welfare dependence. Improving not only the quality, but also the focus of and access to government resources would considerably enhance the capacity for communities to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

Indigenous agricultural products to sustain the rural livelihoods of ethnic minority people in Vietnam

Ho Ngoc Son, Aaron Kingsbury, Ho Van Bac, Pham Thi Thanh Huyen

Abstract 

Indigenous products constitute the pride, culture, and voice of ethnic minority people. Within Vietnam, these products represent a formable potential market, and current production capacity does not meet market demand. However, the quality of products remains low. Based on data gathered from one-hundred interviews with farmers, managers of cooperatives and agribusinesses, and policy makers, this study focuses on key indigenous agricultural products (IAP) and local specialties (LS) to determine their current production potential and shortcomings in the north of the country. Products include Dong vermicelli and Lac Thuy chicken (in Bac Kan province); Doan Hung pomelo and Ga Gay sticky rice (Phu Tho); Dai Minh pomelo, Van Chan orange, and Seng cu rice (Yen Bai); Tan Lac red pomelo (Hoa Binh); and flavored Tam rice (Dien Bien). Surveys were also completed with 315 consumers in Hanoi, Yen Bai, and Bac Kan to assess market demand and understand consumer requirements. Overall, this study uncovered a need to better incorporate indigenous knowledge with technological advances in production. This would enhance productivity and support both value adding and value chain development to benefit from ongoing agricultural restructuring policies. Furthermore, planning schemes for IAP and LS development must embrace economies of scope production. The promotion of products embodying cultural values is also required, as is strengthening the capacity of producers and cooperatives in implementing more standardized production procedures and product development. In this way, IAP and LS can better offer the potential for poverty reduction and improved well-being for ethnic minority people in Vietnam.