Afforestation and Forestry Land Allocation in Northern Vietnam: Analysing the Gap Between Policy Intentions and Outcomes

background

This study looks at the policy factors surrounding the government's allocation of farmland for afforestation in northern Vietnam. This study takes place in the context of other large-scale afforestation projects conducted by governments in tropical countries, where land rights and livelihoods of local farmers can be at risk.

research goals & methods

Specifically, the study seeks to understand the connection between policy outcomes and factors at multiple levels of decision-making, from the local level all the way to the national level. The study conducts its analysis using the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, and data was collected through interviews.

conclusions & takeaways

The study finds that the current afforestation campaign has not successfully involved local households and has also disrupted local land-use systems that are unrelated to the afforestation project. The study proposes this is a result of a lack of flexibility in local policy implementation combined with a lack of top-down accountability for outcomes.