Converging and conflicting interests in adaptation to environmental change in central Vietnam

The article is based on qualitative research in the provinces of Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue in central Vietnam during the years 1996-2009, by the author and colleagues at Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry. The focus of the article is on policies that, while increasing resilience at one scale, may cause increased vulnerability at other scales. Policies on forest protection and construction of hydroelectric dams contribute to regulating flooding of the lowland areas. However, the policies also result in severe constraints in access to land and forest products for the mountain population, which has impacts on their capacity to manage risk and adapt to environmental change. Forest resources have previously functioned as an important buffer for mountain households when coping with crises like serious floods. This reduced adaptive capacity may be a critical issue for equity and social sustainability in adaptation.