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Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam - Oxfam Blogs

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Five-year Synthesis Report<br />

Part 1: <strong>Poverty</strong> Trends and Key Themes of <strong>Rural</strong> <strong>Poverty</strong> <strong>Reduction</strong><br />

by reclaim<strong>in</strong>g, buy<strong>in</strong>g or rent<strong>in</strong>g land. In northern mounta<strong>in</strong>ous and ethnic m<strong>in</strong>ority areas<br />

(Thuan Hoa-Ha Giang, and Ban Lien-Lao Cai), many people try <strong>to</strong> reclaim small terraced<br />

fields <strong>in</strong> well watered places. In Thanh Xuong-Dien Bien, many households rent land from<br />

state-owned farms. In Ban Lien-Lao Cai, some households bought tea hills from those<br />

with surplus land. The second round of land plot merg<strong>in</strong>g and exchange <strong>in</strong> 2009 <strong>in</strong> Duc<br />

Huong-Ha T<strong>in</strong>h provided land-shortage households with more land <strong>to</strong> till. In Duc Huong-<br />

Ha T<strong>in</strong>h, some households rented land from those lack<strong>in</strong>g labour (particularly the elderly<br />

or those with children work<strong>in</strong>g away from home) <strong>to</strong> expand production. Land expansion<br />

is limited by population growth and an <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g shortage of arable and irrigated land.<br />

31<br />

Benefit<strong>in</strong>g from direct government support policies. Government policies for<br />

hous<strong>in</strong>g construction (Decision 167), concessional loans, support for disabled children<br />

and social assistance (Decree 67) have helped many poor people (Box 1.3).<br />

BOX 1.3. Households with disabled children benefit from Government<br />

assistance<br />

Mr. H.T.H is head of a poor Kh’mer household with no productive land <strong>in</strong> Thuy Hoa<br />

village, Thuan Hoa commune (Cau Ngang, Tra V<strong>in</strong>h). He has three children. The<br />

youngest son is ten years old and severely disabled. Mr. H.T.H earns a wage carry<strong>in</strong>g<br />

rice husks and goes fish<strong>in</strong>g for his household’s daily food. His wife cannot do physically<br />

arduous work, but earns occasional <strong>in</strong>come do<strong>in</strong>g small jobs.<br />

In 2008, his eldest daughter went <strong>to</strong> work <strong>in</strong> a garment fac<strong>to</strong>ry <strong>in</strong> B<strong>in</strong>h Duong prov<strong>in</strong>ce.<br />

In late 2009, with Government assistance, his son moved <strong>to</strong> a specialist centre for<br />

disabled children <strong>in</strong> Tra V<strong>in</strong>h Prov<strong>in</strong>ce. As a result Mr H.T.H no longer has <strong>to</strong> purchase<br />

food, cloth<strong>in</strong>g and, most importantly, medical treatment for his son. Mr. H.T.H said, “He<br />

can go <strong>to</strong> school. He is now at second grade and is an excellent student. He can read<br />

and write now. S<strong>in</strong>ce he went <strong>to</strong> Tra V<strong>in</strong>h, our family life has been much less difficult.”<br />

In 2010, he received assistance <strong>to</strong> build his house under Decision 167. His relatives<br />

also provided support. In late 2010 his wife had an accident and could no longer<br />

work. In early 2011, their second son also went <strong>to</strong> work <strong>in</strong> B<strong>in</strong>h Duong, and, along with<br />

his sister, now sends money home every month.<br />

Relative<br />

liv<strong>in</strong>g<br />

standards<br />

Average<br />

Youngest son with<br />

disabilities nurtured<br />

by the State<br />

Construct<strong>in</strong>g house<br />

under Decision 167<br />

Second son<br />

goes <strong>to</strong> work <strong>in</strong><br />

B<strong>in</strong>h Duong<br />

Poor<br />

Eldest daughter work<strong>in</strong>g<br />

<strong>in</strong> B<strong>in</strong>h Duong<br />

Wife can no<br />

longer work<br />

Extremely<br />

poor<br />

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011<br />

Investment <strong>in</strong> education is not matched economic efficiency for rural households.<br />

Investment <strong>in</strong> children’s education has <strong>in</strong>creased <strong>in</strong> most of the moni<strong>to</strong>r<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>ts <strong>in</strong> the<br />

past five years (2007-2011). However, for many the returns have proved unsatisfac<strong>to</strong>ry.<br />

In the short run, households face higher costs. In Duc Huong-Ha T<strong>in</strong>h, for example,

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