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Livelihood vulnerability to climate change in the mountains of Northern Vietnam: comparing the Hmong and the Dzao ethnic minority populations

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Abstract

Livelihoods of ethnic minority populations living in the mountains of Northern Vietnam are highly vulnerable to climate-induced natural hazards. Therefore, the livelihoods of vulnerable ethnic minority populations in these areas could be improved through climate change adaptation measures. This study pursues an enhancement of three different aggregate indices such as Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI), Livelihood Vulnerability Index framed within the IPCC vulnerability framework (LVI-IPCC), and Livelihood Effect Index (LEI) to find out components contributing to the livelihood vulnerability of major ethnic minority populations in a case study of Mo Vang mountain (Yen Bai, Vietnam). A total of 120 Dzao and Hmong respondents from 11 villages are surveyed based on a combination of informal interviews, a questionnaire survey, and Focused Group Discussions (FGD). Twenty-nine sub-components belonging to 10 major components (socio-demographic profile, livelihood strategies, social networks, revenue, health, food, water, housing, land, and natural hazards and climate variability) are conducted to calculate LVI, LVI-IPCC, and LEI. The results show that the livelihood of Hmong populations is more vulnerable to climate change for natural conditions such as natural hazards and climate variability, housing, land, water, food, and health. However, the livelihood of Dzao populations is more vulnerable because of socio-economic conditions such as socio-demographic profile, livelihood strategies, revenue, and social networks. The results provide a scientific basis for both residents, local officials, and policy-makers prioritizing solutions to enhance livelihood capitals as well as to improve adaptive capacity to climate change in the mountains of Northern Vietnam.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank VNU University of Economics and Business, Hanoi support for this study. Sincere thanks go to the community members of the Mo Vang commune (Van Yen district, Yen Bai province, Vietnam) for participating in the research, especially the Dzao and Hmong residents, who were most collaborative in completing the questionnaires, and in providing discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Thinh An Nguyen & Huong Thi Hoang

  2. Vietnam National University of Forestry (VNUF), Hanoi, Vietnam

    Bich Thi Nguyen

  3. Institute of Materials Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hanh Van Ta

  4. Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Hanoi, Vietnam

    Hanh Van Ta

  5. Vietnam National Productivity Institute, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Nhung Thi Phuong Nguyen

  6. The Committee On Ethnic Minority Affairs, Hanoi, Vietnam

    Quan Phung Nguyen

  7. Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO), Mol, Belgium

    Luc Hens

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  1. Thinh An Nguyen
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  4. Nhung Thi Phuong Nguyen
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Correspondence to Thinh An Nguyen.

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Nguyen, T.A., Nguyen, B.T., Van Ta, H. et al. Livelihood vulnerability to climate change in the mountains of Northern Vietnam: comparing the Hmong and the Dzao ethnic minority populations. Environ Dev Sustain 23, 13469–13489 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-020-01221-y

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