Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam - Oxfam Blogs

Five-year Synthesis Report
Part 2: Challenges to Rural Poverty Reduction in Viet Nam
TABLE 2.14. Percentage of local residents reporting facing risks that greatly
affect their lives in the last 12 months, 2007-2011 (%)
77
Commune 2007 2011
Thuan Hoa 48 33
Ban Lien 56 67
Thanh Xuong 20 24
Luong Minh 66 72
Duc Huong 63 35
Xy 26 61
Cu Hue 58 35
Phuoc Dai 43 69
Phuoc Thanh 63 59
Thuan Hoa 40 42
Average 48 49
SOURCE: Household interviews
Risks and shocks increasing people’s vulnerability are the biggest challenge to sustainable
poverty reduction. Risks in the last five years include natural disasters, pests, disease,
illness, inflation and adverse weather. Poor living conditions and nutrition can also pose
health problems for the poor. In some communes (Luong Minh-Nghe An, Thanh Xuong-
Dien Bien), many households have members who suffer from drug use, leading to labour
shortages and other difficulties. See Item 1.4 “Vulnerability”.
Other poverty dimensions
Other important poverty dimensions include social capital, land, financial capital,
participation and empowerment and gender equality. The following discusses social
capital, land, and financial capital. Participation and empowerment and gender equality
are mentioned separately in this report.
Social capital based on community relationships is maintained at most
monitoring points. In ethnic minority villages, people suffering food shortages prior to
crop harvests can get small food grants or borrow food from relatives and neighbours.
Whole villages support households who face unanticipated hardship or have to host
major social events by providing labour, rice, wine or money. In many places, the practice
of labour exchange is well maintained. Village funds comprised of contributions from all
villagers are used to lend to the poor who are short of food or support households with
sick members. The practice of tending buffalos and cows on contract is beneficial to both
the owners and the contractors. Many clans play well the role of encouraging learning
and helping relatives in need. Formal and informal groups help members to participate
in learning and sharing experiences and develop social contacts. In some places, people
contribute labour, materials and money to build and repair public facilities that benefit
the community (such as bridges over streams in Thuan Hoa-Ha Giang, Luong Minh-Nghe
An, expanded village roads and a new village headquarters in Thanh Xuong-Dien Bien).
Where many people seek waged employment in informal sectors (such as in Thanh
Xuong-Dien Bien, Duc Huong-Ha Tinh, Thuan Hoa-Tra Vinh) networks are indispensable.