Livelihood changes of affected households under resource scarcity: The Son La hydropower project in Vietnam

Abstract

This study analyses changes in livelihoods of resettled and host households affected by the Son La hydropower project in Vietnam. Data come from a questionnaire survey of 52 host and 56 resettled households in five villages affected by the project and refer to the situation before, immediately after and 5-years after the resettlement. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, decomposition analysis and linear regression. Resettled households, and to lesser extent also host households experienced a decline in rice yields, income and an increase in food insecurity. There is a discrepancy between the government resettlement plan and reality. Compensation payments alone appear inadequate to rebuild and maintain livelihoods and a more direct approach is needed to create economic opportunities in the affected communities.