Sustainable Livelihoods and Biodiversity in Developing Countries
Su
REPORT FROM 1ST STAKEHOLDER
FIELDTRIPS: VIETNAM, 2ND-13TH
NOVEMBER 2009
Pictures: D.M.Phuong, M.Patori, A.Guignier
Seventh Framework
Programme (FP7/20072013) under grant
agreement No. 211392
For more information visit our website: http://www.livediverse.eu
Table of contents
1.
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 4
2.
Map of Case Study/ Field Trip sites ....................................................................................................... 5
3.
Key stakeholders engagements during the field trip............................................................................. 7
3.1
Ba Be National Park:............................................................................................................................ 7
3.1.1
Meeting with Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committee, Tuesday 3rd November 2009 ......... 7
3.1.2
Meeting with Management Board of Ba Be National Park, Wednesday 4th November 2009
8
3.1.3
Visit of Ban Chan village ( within Dong Phuc Commune),Wednesday 4th November 2009
9
3.1.4
Meeting with Dong Phuc Commune People’s Committee, Wednesday 4th November 2009
10
3.1.5
Visit Pac Ngoi village, Thursday 5th November 2009 ..............................................................10
3.1.6
Visit Bo Lu village, Thursday 5th November 2009....................................................................11
3.1.7
Meeting with Nam Mau Commune People’s Committee, Thursday 5th November 2009..12
3.2
Na Hang Natural Reserve .................................................................................................................13
3.2.1
Meeting with Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee ..................................................13
3.2.2
Meeting with Management Board of Na Hang Natural Reserve............................................13
3.2.3
Meeting with Thanh Tuong Commune People’s Committee .................................................14
3.2.4
Visit of Ban Nung village..............................................................................................................14
3.2.5
Meeting with Son Phu Commune People’s Committee ..........................................................15
3.3
Meetings with departments of the Ministries .................................................................................15
3.3.1
Water Resource Management Department (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment)
16
3.3.2
Biodiversity Conservation Agency ...................................................................................................16
3.3.3
Department of Forests Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development) ............16
3.3.4
Tourism Development Research Institute .....................................................................................17
3.4
Meeting with IUCN ...........................................................................................................................17
4.
Conclusions of the field trip ..................................................................................................................17
Annex I - Additional notes from the different stakeholders meetings and discussions provided by
NIAPP ...............................................................................................................................................................19
Annex II – List of meeting participants during LD Field Trip visits, 1-14 November, 2009 ..............31
Annex III – Background Documentation ....................................................................................................41
Annex IV - Images from field trip visits ......................................................................................................50
1. Introduction
The Vietnam field trip had several objectives: to raise awareness on the Livediverse project; to
identify and understand the key issues related to biodiversity and livelihoods from different
perspectives (national, provincial, local; governmental/ non-governmental); and to identify existing
initiatives and projects within the case study areas that complement the aims and objectives of
LiveDiverse project.
The field trip was organized by the National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection
(NIAPP), LiveDiverse case-study partner and leader of WP5. The participants to the field trip
included NIAPP staff, Mr Nguyen Van Toan, Mr. Vu Cong Lan, Dr. Hoang Xuan Phuong, Mr. Do
Minh Phuong, Ms. Nguyen Bao Cham, Mrs Vuong Thuc Tran, Mr Geoffrey Gooch from Linköping
University, Sweden, Mr Alexander Lopez and Ms Aurora Hernandez, from Escuela de Relaciones
Internacionales de la Universidad Nacional, Costa Rica, Ms Nikki Funke and Ms Maronel Steyn,
from CSIR, South Africa, Mr Joy Kallarakal, from SOPPECOM, India, Ms Armelle Guignier and
Mr Alistair Rieu-Clarke from UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Scotland, Ms Bruna Grizzetti and
Mr Marco Patori from JRC, Italy.
The field trip started with a meeting at NIAPP in Hanoi on Monday 2nd, November 2009. During
this meeting, NIAPP presented the work already done in the case-study areas. The first presentation
gave us the actual socio-economic situation in the core and buffer zones of the Ba Be national Park
and Na Hang Natural Reserve; the second presentation was about the initial calculation of the
environmental vulnerability index; and the last presentation dealt with the construction, management
and facilitation of GIS Database.
The Livediverse team left Hanoi the day after to reach Ba Be National Park located around 250km
north of the capital. A first meeting at Bac Can provincial town was scheduled to meet with Bac Can
Provincial People’s Committee which provided us with the main context and issues of the poorest
Province in Vietnam. On the 4th November, the Livediverse team met with the director of Ba Be
National Park, for an overview of the park and also for asking more specific questions on the
management of the park, the role of local people, the allocation of land, etc. A boat trip on Ba Be
Lake gave the team a more concrete view of the park. The afternoon was devoted to the visit of Ban
Chan village located in the buffer zone of the park, and to a meeting with Dong Phuc commune
People’s committee. Next day, the team visited two villages (Bo Lu and Pac Ngoi) inside the core
area and had the opportunity to exchange with village leaders and households. In the afternoon, the
team visited a cave; after a meeting with Nam Mau commune People’s Committee and chairmen of
different Unions gave the team insights about the main issues the commune is facing.
The second week of the field trip was devoted a visit to Na Hang Natural Reserve, located in Tuyen
Quang Province, and bordering Ba Be National Park. A first meeting at Tuyen Quang Provincial
town was scheduled with deputy directors of different departments of the Province. Then the team
met with the deputy director of the Na Hang Natural Reserve, providing an overview of the
biological and cultural diversity of the reserve and the main forestry issues. The following days
allowed us to visit villages and meet with two Commune’s People Committee to understand some of
the biodiversity and livelihoods issues within the reserve.
The field trip ended on Friday, 13th with a round of meetings with different departments of the
Ministries, such as the Department of Water resource Management, the Biodiversity Conservation
Agency, the Forest Protection Department, the Tourism administration and also an international
NGO, IUCN.
2. Map of Case Study/ Field Trip sites
3. Key stakeholders engagements during the field trip1
Both trips to Ba Be National Park and to Na Hang Natural Reserve were structured around the
meetings of the same categories of stakeholders from the Provincial level to the village level, giving
us a good overview of the administrative structure and also the possibility to interact with some
villagers. Meetings with the management board of both protected areas were also arranged.
3.1 Ba Be National Park:
3.1.1
Meeting with Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committee, Tuesday 3rd November 2009
Ba Be National Park is located within Bac Kan Province. One of the main actors for the Province is
the Provincial People’s Committee. The chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee introduced
the meeting by presenting Bac Kan Province and giving its main features. Bac Kan is located in the
north east of Vietnam, 120 km from the Chinese border, covering an area of 4800km2, with around
300 000 inhabitants, 8% are ethnic minorities. There are 7 districts, including Ba Be and one
provincial town. Bac Kan is the poorest Province in Vietnam, but major improvements occurred.
1
Discussions and meetings notes are added in Annex I
The chairman underlined the main strengths of the province such as the largest forest area,
ecotourism and natural resources.
After this presentation, the LiveDiverse team had the opportunity to ask more specific questions on
the relation between biodiversity and livelihoods in Ba Be, on ethnic minorities, on the perception of
local people on biodiversity, on the main drivers that will affect the Province in the near future.
3.1.2
Meeting with Management Board of Ba Be National Park, Wednesday 4th November
2009
Wednesday morning, the Livediverse team met with Mr Nong The Dien, Director of Ba Be
National Park and Mr Nam from the Forestry unit. The meeting started with a brief introduction on
the work done by NIAPP and on the LiveDiverse project. Then the director of Ba Be National Park
presented the Ba Be National Park, his presentation was followed by questions from the Livediverse
team.
Ba Be National Park was established in 1992 and is among the 9 national parks of Vietnam. It covers
23 340 ha. The first functions of Ba Be are conservation, scientific research, ecotourism and support
to the local communities. There are two technical units, one in charge of forest protection and the
other of environmental protection and tourism. 3 divisions complement the organization of the
park, including accounting, personal and scientific research. Ba Be covers 9 communes and 4 ethnic
minorities live inside the park: Tay, Mong, Dao and Nung.
Source: website Ba Be National park
Regarding conservation, local communities are involved in forest protection. Scientific research is
also carried out in Ba Be through collaboration with universities. Ba Be develops ecotourism in
which local communities are involved, but also environmental education (for local people,
foreigners, students). Education of local communities embraces also the means by which they can
improve their livelihoods and increase their incomes.
Regarding biodiversity, Ba Be benefits from a high rate of biodiversity in all South-East Asia. Ba Be
was recognized as an ASEAN heritage site and was proposed as a UNESCO world heritage in 2007,
but the application failed as more information was required. Ba Be lake is a major wetland and they
collaborate with Birdlife international. They are in the process of submitting Ba Be Lake to be a
Ramsar site.
With regard to local communities, 15000 are leaving in the park. One commune (with 8 villages) is
located within the core area, where 2800 people mainly Tay and Mong are leaving. The poverty rate
is between 48%-51%, they make a living by collecting non timber products. The park encourages
local communities to be involved in ecotourism, (ex: boat cooperative); the main problem for
ecotourism is the lack of people speaking foreign languages. They are also involved in forest
management, which helps increase their revenues. The director specified the process of forest
allocation. 34 households are currently involved in forest management through agreements. They
benefit from the support of the forestry unit which also monitors the activities. After one year of
implementation, there is a meeting with the local communities, to reach a consensus on what they
have achieved. People are invited every month to raise issues, to check the activities and to be paid.
The term of the contract is 5 years, after which they reconsider whether to continue or not. Each
household has a map of the area. In the core zone, people are not allowed to collect non timber
products (for medicine, fruits).
Regarding the difficulties, Ba Be encounters many difficulties: lack of agriculture land, illegal
hunting, lack of education even if there are primary and secondary schools. But the park benefits
from many advantages, such as support from the government for poverty reduction, with special
policies to support the poorest areas in Vietnam - as Ba Be is among the poorest areas in Vietnam
3.1.3
Visit of Ban Chan village ( within Dong Phuc Commune),Wednesday 4th November
2009
Ban Chan village is located within Dong Phuc commune, in the buffer zone
of the national park. Ban Chan is home of a majority of Tay people. The
Livediverse team met with a villager, (and his wife?) who seems “well-off”
as he has agricultural land, livestock and a pond. Many questions were asked
ranging from his own livelihood (agriculture activities, knowledge about
medicinal plants, extra incomes from collecting roots in the forests) to
village issues (allocation of agricultural land use rights, water quality, specific
rules for each village, good gender equality, differences of customs between
ethnic minorities ). Overall, he told us he was happy to live here.
Traditional knowledge and
medicinal plants
3.1.4
Meeting with Dong Phuc Commune People’s Committee, Wednesday 4th November
2009
A meeting with Dong Phuc Commune’s People Committee was organized. After the presentation of
the LiveDiverse Project by NIAPP, the Chairman of the Commune’s People Committee provided
an overview of the commune, home of 4 ethnic minorities, covering 14 villages (8 in lowland and 6
in upland) and which is one the poorest commune. The main livelihood activity is agriculture
practiced by 98% of the people.
The chairman also explained the organization and functions of the Committee whose members are
elected for 5 years by local people.
Several issues were broached especially on the environment. Regarding the environment, they have
put in place a broadcasting system about the vulnerability of the environment for people to become
aware of the threats. Water shortages happen mainly due to deforestation according to them. As the
commune is in the buffer zone of the national park, they are not impacted by the park regulations,
are not involved in the management and apply only the forest law. There is very strict control of
deforestation, and support for reforestation using acacias trees. Some cases of illegal logging happen,
which they try to settle at the local level. Other cases are also transferred to the upper level,
depending on their seriousness.
Each village has its own rules, but minorities don’t have any specific rules according to the
Committee. To the question are there any environmental/indigenous practices coming from the
communities (not from the State), the answer is no, there is no initiatives from the communities, no
indigenous practices for the protection of the environment.
They have poor infrastructures, education, services, but the government is becoming more sensitive
to remote areas and they receive more support to develop infrastructures. There are some special
policies for poor areas, and as Ba Be is one of them, it benefits from the 38th program (program for
the poor – 200,000 Dongs per year per ha for forest protection) and the 134th and 135th programs to
support ethnic minority groups
The Chairman of the Women’s union explained that they can have support from socio-policy banks,
and are granted loans for agriculture. There is a good mobilization for family planning, and families
only have 2 children. Members of the Unions (also Youth) benefit from training from communes,
districts.
In regard to the question why do they stay and don’t leave, the answer was because homeland is the
most important, and they prefer to come back if they move.
3.1.5
Visit Pac Ngoi village, Thursday 5th November 2009
Pac Ngoi village is located in Nam Mau Commune inside the national park. The visit started with a
meeting with the village leader, who presented his village with 418 inhabitants and 100% of Tay
minority. 20 households over 80 don’t have any land.
People practice agriculture, and receive subsidies to use high yield varieties and fertilizers.
Agricultural land can only be allocated through land use rights. If a household has rights to use land,
it can share its rights with others. They can sell the rights to use the land, as they are allocated rights
to use agricultural land, but they don’t own the land, it is State land. The land use rights can be
inherited: the certificate of the allocation of land should be in the name of both the husband and the
wife, but despite gender equality the son will inherit the title, except in the case where they don’t
have a son and only two daughters.
Besides agriculture, some households practice fishing, but the fish resource is reducing mainly due to
the use of diesel boats and their noise according to him. There are no specific regulation applies to
fishing in the lake (no limit on the amount of fish, the days of fishing) except for nets which mesh
should not be under 2.5 cm.
Regarding forest exploitation, it is very limited and controlled. But forests are allocated to
households; they can earn at least 300 000 dongs/year, up to 500 000 dongs/year, per family.
The village is not involved in any decision-making process of the national park, as the participation
occurs on the commune level. But they would like to be involved in the decision-making, so as to
make suggestions.
A second meeting allowed the Livediverse team to talk with a former soldier who is now running a
guesthouse and also has paddy fields.
He is well aware of the national park and its benefits. He benefits not only from the environmental
conditions (clean air) but also from tourism. He was no allocated forests nor is he involved in the
forest management, only few poor households in the village are allocated forests, but it is a collective
management on the commune level, not individually.
Regarding religion, Tay people only worship ancestors. They believed that when one someone dies
the spirit remains with them for one year after which it will join the ancestors. Usually there is an
altar in the house where they will burn incense for the ancestors on special days.
According to him, there is no major health problem. He felt the government should pay more
attention to water hygiene, since they mainly make use of stream water. During floods, the drinking
water is polluted.
The last meeting, provided an opportunity to interact with a much less well-off villager, who had to
borrow the land to build his house. He only has 1000m2 of agricultural land and most of the time he
goes fishing (10-15 days/month) mainly for selling the catch. He usually sells the fish to local market
(nearby), but if he cannot, he sells to brokers, he earns 1 000 000 dongs/month. No restriction
applies to fishing regarding quantities and days of fishing. Access to the lake is open to all people of
the commune, but not to people living outside the commune. Even if the resource is reducing, he is
not worried for the future in case the resource is completely depleted, he will always find alternatives
(forests, fishing in stream). He benefits from the park not only because of the good environmental
conditions, but also through forests allocation (he earns 100 000 dongs/year).
3.1.6
Visit Bo Lu village, Thursday 5th November 2009
Bo Lu village is one the villages of Nam Mau Commune in the Ba Be National Park. The
Livediverse team met with the village leader who is a woman. The village leader is elected by the
villagers. Each village has its own rules based on tradition, such as rules in case of robbery, where
the cases are first settled on the local level with a village council. There are also special village rules
in the field of weddings and funerals. The village leader has to deal with specific issues, such as
applying the crop calendar and telling people the date for crops, attending official meetings on the
commune and district levels, weddings, funerals and also disseminating policies and law.
According to the village leader, the National park brings benefits to the people such as allowance
from the forest allocation, collection of non timber products, and boat activities.
3.1.7
Meeting with Nam Mau Commune People’s Committee, Thursday 5th November 2009
The last Ba Be meeting took place with the Nam Mau Commune People’s Committee and
representatives from different Unions (Women, Veteran, Youth, and Farmers). Nam Mau
Commune is located within the core area of Ba Be National Park, it covers 8 villages and around
9000 inhabitants. The commune is covered mainly by forests.
4 minorities are living in the commune, but there are major differences between the Mong living in
the upland and the people living in the lowland. Mong people are still practicing slash and burn
cultivation, cultivate upland paddy rice and are reluctant to use high yield varieties. The question of
their reallocation to lowland is a major issue, but the lack of land in the lowland prevents the
administration to take any decision, and no relocation of people has occurred so far. Moreover
Mong people are catholic and have different customs and habits creating difficulties in case of
reallocation. The chairman took the example of Na
Hang, and the relocation of 55 households displaced
because of the dam’s construction. But after one year,
half of the people refused to move to the new
commune.
Only 2 out of the 4 minorities are represented within
the commune’s Peoples Committee.
According to the chairman of the people’s committee,
the first stake in his commune is the environment. He
sees tourism as a major asset as people could get extra
income with guesthouse, and the boat activities (a meeting with Nam Mau Commune People’s
Committee
cooperative was set up, and 75% of the benefits belong
to the owner of the boat, the remaining 25% are allocated to the cooperative) but also as a threat
especially due to the development of infrastructures and more locally to the use of diesel for boats.
The Farmer’s Union mentioned that different crop varieties are used in lowland (high yield Varieties)
and upland (local varieties), the latter being more tasty and more nutritious but also more expensive.
The activities performed by the youth’s union are focused on the broadcasting of policies,
mandatory works of young especially to help other households.
The Veteran’s Union mainly works with the Communist Party and provides comments on the
different policies.
3.2 Na Hang Natural Reserve
The second week of this field trip was devoted to the visit of the Na Hang Natural Reserve in Tuyen
Quang Province.
3.2.1
Meeting with Tuyen Quang Provincial People’s Committee
Several departments of the Provincial People’s Committee attended this afternoon meeting:
representatives (deputy directors) from the department of agriculture and rural development, from
Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, from Department of Culture, Tourism and
Sport, and staff from the departments. The director of NIAPP thanked the departments for
receiving us, presented the LiveDiverse project and the work done so far by NIAPP. The discussion
began with a socio-economic description of the Province, where forestry and agricultural production
are the main economic activities.
The questions and discussions focused mainly on environmental issues including the Na Hang
Natural reserve and on minorities living in the area. The Tuyen Quang Province has many
environmental and cultural assets, with 3 natural reserves, hundreds of “cultural and historical sites”,
hot springs and the Na Hang reservoir. The Na Hang Natural Reserve covers around 4100 ha.
mainly special-use forests, and is home of 12 ethnic minorities and hundreds of fauna and flora
species. The deputy-director of the department of culture gave us some insights about the cultural
diversity among the minorities. One of the key issues related to Na Hang is to secure the livelihoods
of people living in and around the reserve in order to limit the exploitation of its natural resources.
People living in the reserve have limited agricultural land and receive very little compensation, and
deforestation is more an issue in relation to people living outside the reserve.
3.2.2
Meeting with Management Board of Na Hang Natural Reserve
Later on a meeting with the Deputy-director of the Na Natural Reserve and forests rangers gave the
opportunity to learn more about the management of the reserve and the main issues from a
management and enforcement perspective.
Established in 1994, The Na Hang Nature Reserve covers 4 communes covering 36,646 ha and
encompassing 1221 inhabitants. There are 3 types of forests, but the special use forest is the biggest
area with 22 000 ha. There are 3 major minority groups in the core area. The forest cover area is
around 89% and the total area of the Reserve is larger than the Ba Be National Park. The main
objectives of the reserve are the conservation of fauna and flora and the protection of the
ecosystem.
The Deputy Director recalled that the Reserve is the home of
endemic species but high pressure is put on biodiversity especially by
a growing and poor population living in the reserve. People live
mainly from subsistence agriculture, but contrary to the situation in
Na Hang Natural Reserve
Ba Be National Park, local people are not allocated protection and special-use forests, despite the
will of the Reserve, communes and villagers. Very few production forests have been allocated to
farmers.
Regarding the management and protection of the reserve, a forest protection station has been
established with 25 forest rangers. They are in charge of protecting the forests, detecting any
violations of the forest law and ensuring the reforestation. But the lack of human resources and
ranger powers limits the effectiveness of the protection.
It was felt that the establishment of a world heritage site would entail stricter regulations for the
Reserve if it is granted.
3.2.3
Meeting with Thanh Tuong Commune People’s Committee
Thanh Tuong Commune is located in the south of the Natural Reserve, downstream of the dam.
The meeting gathered the chairman of the CPC, the secretary of the Communist Party, the chairmen
of the Women’s Union and Youth Union. The chairman of the PC introduced the meeting by giving
some information on the Commune. 70% of natural area is covered by forests, mainly special-use
forests and protection forests. No forest has been allocated to people and only 51 ha of production
forests have been allocated to farmers on an experimental basis. According to the participants, the
allocation of forests to local people will entail a better and more effective protection of the forests.
Very few cases of forest law violation occur.
5 ethnic groups with a majority of Tay people are living in the commune. Despite very few
agricultural lands, agriculture is the main productive activity of the commune. The lack of local
market requires people to go to the district market 8km away.
A private paper processing factory was created downstream in the commune, which uses 500 ha for
collecting materials.
The Women’s union and the youth union presented their activities, mainly disseminating policies
and regulations and providing help to get loans. The Communist party also plays a key role in the
dissemination governmental policies in an operative way.
The commune experiences water shortages but the situation does not seem to be linked to the dam
construction.
3.2.4
Visit of Ban Nung village
Ban Nung village is the poorest village of the commune, located in a
remote area, only accessible by a 4km hilly trail. The village benefits
from a governmental program, but does not have electricity. Only
some families have their own power generators.
The Livediverse team met with the wife of the village leader. Many
issues were broached in a very informal manner, from school to
agriculture and cultural and spiritual issues.
Power generators in Ban Nung
village
School is free but secondary education requires students to travel to Na Hang and parents to pay for
accommodation and transport. Despite being a teacher, the lady we me also takes part in agricultural
activities. Both high yield varieties and local varieties are used but the former needs to be bought
each year (mainly rich people use them), and the latter has to be stored and has a lower productivity
(mostly used by poor people). One on the main issue on the village level is land shortages. When
Dao people left the hills and gave up slash and burn cultivation, they were allocated lands in
downstream areas that often face water shortages.
Some people left the village to find off-farm activities in the construction sector.
Regarding the cultural and spiritual aspects of the village, a temple is located outside the village, for
the worship of Land god, who is taking care of property and human life in the village.
After lunch provided by the family, we met with one poor household. The man we met practices
agriculture and he is a part-time construction worker. Despite the fact that he does not have
livestock nor any capital, that he only has on crop a year, and that he cannot afford to send his two
daughters to secondary school, he is not considered as “poor” and does not qualify for specific
support (such as support for education, subsidies for fertilizers, etc.).
3.2.5
Meeting with Son Phu Commune People’s Committee
The last meeting in Na Hang gathered the chairman of People’s Committee, its vice chairman,
representative of the forest protection station, chairman of the Women’s Union, chairman of the
Veteran’s union. Son Phu Commune is located on the East of the reserve, encompassing 8 villages
mainly covered by forests. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood (2 crops a year) and people
have livestock for their own consumption. One of the specificities of the commune is tea plantation.
The commune would like to develop tea plantation in the future, but no budget has been allocated
so far.
Special-use forests and conservation forests are not allocated to people, but the commune would like
to allocate them as local people would better manage the forests. Some cases of violation occurs
each month, especially illegal timber logging. The main problem regarding enforcement is the lack of
human resources (only 3 rangers for 8000hect.) and lack of powers for rangers.
The Women’s Union is in charge of training women new activities, such as handicraft, new
agriculture techniques, also of disseminating policies on sanitation, environment, and health. Despite
the efforts of the Union, it faces difficulties to improve women knowledge and willingness to do
other activities than agriculture.
The main activities of the Veteran’s Union are the dissemination of policies, strengthening the
solidarity, mobilizing people to participate in the commune’s activities, but it lacks resources.
3.3 Meetings with departments of the Ministries
The last day of the field trip was devoted to meetings with departments of different ministries
mainly in order to inform and exchange about the LiveDiverse project, its process and outcomes
and to secure the involvement of these stakeholders.
3.3.1
Water Resource Management Department (Ministry of Natural Resources and
Environment)
The Department has a General Director, 3 vice-directors, 7 divisions and 3 centres. The three major
divisions are 1) Planning and Water Exploitation 2) Water Resource Management (reorganised in
2002-2003 to pay more attention to water management) and 3) Legislative Water Resources
Management.
Under the responsibility of MONRE, the department is developing a new law on water resources
that will replace the law on water of 1998. Several organizations are involved in the drafting process,
such as ADB, UNESCO, the Danish Aid Agency, and international consortium with consultants.
3.3.2
Biodiversity Conservation Agency
The biodiversity conservation Agency is a new agency created in 2008 under MONRE, composed of
4 divisions (administration, planning, biosafety and conservation division, and ecological division).
The Agency supports the Environmental administration especially on biodiversity conservation, it
develops legal documents and also focuses on genes resources. One year after the adoption of the
law on biodiversity, there are many tasks related to its implementation consistently with Vietnam’s
international commitments. The law has been seen as one the most improved law on biodiversity
among developing countries.
The meeting raised issues of consistency between the Biodiversity Law and other laws in Viet Nam.
Coordination between the Agency and other line agencies in MONRE and within Vietnam was
highlighted.
Cooperation in the development with line agencies includes work related to the recognition of Ba Be
National Park as world natural heritage. Cooperation between the Agency and PPC in biodiversity
conservation also occurs. There is an initiative to set up a corridor between Ba Be National Park and
Na Hang NR. Preparation of Na Hang Nature Reserve towards a national park is also being
considered. Potential impacts by the Na Hang hydropower plant on natural, environmental
conditions raises potential challenges.
3.3.3
Department of Forests Protection (Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development)
The deputy director of the forest Protection Department was the project manager of the PARC
project from 1999-2005.
They are developing a new decree to accommodate both protection and livelihoods.
The exploitation of Non timber products is limited according to the legislation. Some people are
allocated forests according to some criteria (areas allocated, households in the village, livelihoods
and implementation of specific Poverty Programme). In the allocation, all minorities are treated on
the same way.
Regarding rangers, each Province has its own policy (Ba Be management board has a forest ranger
unit). Each ranger should be allocated 1000 ha, but due to the lack of resources, rangers have more
hectares. They are employed and paid by the Province. On the local level, rangers coordinate with
the police and army.
There are problems with illegal hunting, and the main reason is poverty in these areas and not
cultural aspects as in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.
There are many ways to improve livelihoods, but the means depend on the minorities as some
minorities are not used to market economy for example.
3.3.4
Tourism Development Research Institute
The Institute has been producing researches on tourism development in Vietnam since 1993. It is
responsible for tourism planning, advises the Ministry of culture, sports and tourism, and carries out
many projects related to tourism and eco-tourism. It is very interested in developing ecotourism but
up to now there is no strategy on ecotourism. Ba Be national Park is among the 21 National tourist
parks, listed in the Strategy for tourism development.
The institute has produced a Master plan for Ba Be, making suggestions to improve tourism
(develop infrastructures, help people living in the park, develop ecotourism products, improve
people’s involvement through training courses, produce handicraft).
In 2008, 12000 people visited the park, mostly Vietnamese.
Compared to Ba Be, Na Hang, does not have easy access and tourism is not developed. Challenges
to developing tourism in Vietnam include promotion, infrastructure and foreign language skills.
3.4 Meeting with IUCN
The role of IUCN in the natural conservation in Viet Nam was outlined. IUCN have a wide range of
projects/programs carried out by IUCN in terms of biodiversity conservation and environmental
protection. IUCN provides technical assessment and coordination between Tuyen Quang, Bac Kan
PPCs in the preparation and promotion of Na Hang – Ba Be complex’s bid to be a UNESCO world
natural heritage. IUCN Vietnam provided assistance in the drafting of the law on biodiversity.
IUCN is working on a project on biodiversity and livelihoods with the Dutch Government. They are
busy with the first phase of the project in which they will build a database
4. Conclusions of the field trip
The Vietnam field trip was invaluable in achieving a number of objectives, including raising
awareness of the project amongst key stakeholders, identifying the most pressing issues and
challenges in managing the interface between sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation,
and identifying what past, present and potential initiatives are being undertaken within the case study
area. While many issues were identified through the discussions key issues included the current
status of Ba Be as a national park and Na Hang as a nature reserve, and the question of whether the
profile of the latter could be improved be a more formal linkage with the former. Linked to the
issue of a Ba Be-Na Hang complex, is the issue of gaining international status for the sites, through
accreditation as a World Natural Heritage Site. As the meeting notes show, there are numerous other
issues that need to be considered.
In closing, NIAPP are due a huge vote of thanks for their significant and effective efforts in
organizing the field trip.
Annex I - Additional notes from the different stakeholders meetings and discussions
provided by NIAPP
ABRREVIATIONS
DARD
Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
DONRE
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
EVI
Environmental Vulnerability Indicators
GIS
Geographical Information System
HH
Household
IFAD
International Fund for Agriculture and Development, United Nations
IUCN
Int’l Union for Conservation of Nature
JRC
Joint Research Center, Italy
LD
LiveDiverse
LiU
Linkoppings University, Sweeden
MARD
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Viet Nam
MONRE
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Viet Nam
MOLISA
Ministry of Labour, Invalid and Social Affairs, Viet Nam
NIAPP
National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection, Viet Nam
NP
National Park
NR
Natural Reserve
NTFP
Non-Timber Forest Product
PC
Peoples’ Committee
PPC
Provincial People’s Committee
VND
Viet Nam Dong Currency
WP
Work Package
BACKGROUND
According to the LiveDiverse Project’s plan, the Work Package 5 (WP5) of Viet Nam is responsible
to organize field trips in Viet Nam for participants of the LiveDiverse (LD) Project (the Delegation).
The main objectives of the fieldtrips include:
(a) Raise awareness on the LiveDiverse (LD) project;
(b) Identifying and understanding the key issues related to biodiversity and livelihoods from
different perspective (national, provincial, local; governmental/non-governmental); and
(c) Identify existing initiatives and projects within the case study areas that complement the aims
and objectives of LD project.
The fieldtrips include two parts, (i) Trips in 2 study areas, Ba Be National Park (NP), during 3 – 6
Nov. 2009 and Na Hang Natural Reserve (RS) during 9 – 11 Nov. 2009 and (ii) Meetings with
National INstitute of Agricultural Planning and Projection (NIAPP) and line agencies in Ha Noi.
Participants of the fieldtrip are coming from LiU, JRC, South Africa, SOPECOM, Dundee and
Costa Rica.
In Ba Be, the Delegation has meetings with Bac Kan Provincial People’s Committees (PPC), Ba Be
NP Management Board, People’s Committees (PC) of Dong Phuc, Nam Mau Communes. The
Delegation also visited households (HH) in Ban Chan (Dong Phuc), Bo Lu and Pac villages (Nam
Mau).
In Na Hang, the Delegation has meetings with Tuyen Quang PPC, Thanh Tuong and Son Phu
Commune PCs. The Delegation also visited villages inside and outside core zone of Na Hang NR,
including Ban Bung (Thanh Tuong) and Ban Da (Son Phu).
This Note includes the records taken during discussion during the meetings in the local sites. These
discussions are also recorded as basic of true information.
Meeting with NIAPP, Ha Noi, 2 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting:
1. In the morning session: WP5, on behalf of NIAPP, presented 3 topics relate to the study
areas in Viet Nam, including (i) Actual soci-economic situation in Ba Be NP and Na Hang
NR; (ii) Initial calculation of EVIs in cases of Ba Be and Na Hang; and (iii) Establishment of
GIS Database of ecological vulnerability.
2. In the afternoon session: Discussion focused on logistic arrangement and necessary general
information about Viet Nam and Ha Noi.
Meeting with Bac Kan PPC, Bac Kan Province, 3 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting:
1. Mr. Hoang Ngoc Duong Standing Vice Chairman of Bac Kan PPC described shortly about
the province. Bac Kan is a mountainous province in the northeast of Viet Nam, 170 km far
from Ha Noi, 120 km from borderline between Viet Nam and China. Total natural area
4,860 km2, population of 300,000 (aprox.), 7 ethnic minority groups. The province has been
re-established in 1 January 1997 (established by the French in 1900), merged with Thai
Nguyen province as Bac Thai one in 1965. Some districts were merged with Cao Bang
province. During 1965 – 1996, Bac Kan was not presented on the map of Viet Nam. At
present, Bac Kan includes 8 administrative units (7 districts and 1 provincial town). Average
income increased from 80 $ (1997) to 400 $ (presently). Poverty ratio decreased from 50% to
30%. Province infrastructure is being developed, access roads and electric supply connect to
every communes. Average food per capita is about 500 kg annually, basically it meets food
security. The province is, however, classified as one of extremely difficult provinces in the
country for the several reasons of no airport, waterway, poor knowledge, especially among
ethnic groups. On the other side, advantages of the province are identified as high (55%)
forest coverage, annually 4,000 – 5,000 ha of forest land are planted. It means forest
economy can be a major provincial economy. Bac Kan has potential for eco-tourism
development (Ba Be lake, 500 ha water surface, high biodiversity). Ba Be NP has an area of
about 10,000 ha, more than 1,200 plant species and 500 animal species. Additionally, Bac
Kan has a natural reserve in Na Ri – Bach Thong and animal reserve in Cho Don district. Its
mineral resources are Pb, Zn, Au, etc.
2. Mr. Nguyen Van Toan, NIAPP Vice-Director and foreign participants introduce purpose of
visit, LD Project and express desire of collaboration and cooperation in the field of
biodiversity research.
3. Solutions to stabilize the local livelihood. Poverty reasons are many (shortage of capital, land
for production, poor education and knowledge, shifting cultivation, etc.). There are many
comprehensive measures applied (fixed cultivation and settlement, financial assistance from
the Government, infrastructure development, extension, program 134, 134 and resolution 30
A, tourism promotion, etc.), reducing 5 – 6% of poverty ratio a year.
4. Factors which should taken into consideration of biodiversity in Ba Be NP. They are
poverty, eco-degradation, livelihood improvement, education, the balance between demand
– supply, etc. Apart from these, the rich people should pay and share responsibilities on the
natural resources protection and exploitation.
5. General custom of ethnic minority groups in the province. Generally, the Viet people live in
flat and mainland’s, featured by wet-rice civilization. The Tay people (60% of total
province’s population) live along springs, livelihood mainly by wet-rice and maize plantation.
The Dao people live in mid-mountains, featured by terraced-field cultivation. The H’Mong
people live in high mountains, poor, livelihood mainly by hunting, collecting forest products
and shifting cultivation and nomadic live. Recently, a part of H’Mong people are following
the Catholic.The Hoa people live in towns and populous areas, doing business, trade. The
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Nung people live together with Tay, San Riu and Dao. These ethnic people worship their
Ancestors.
Local agencies are responsible for management of biodiversity and livelihood. Locally,
DARD is assigned to take responsibility for rural livelihood and development. SubDepartment of Forest Ranger (under DARD) is responsible for forest management and
biodiversity protection. Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is responsible for
cultural conservation. DONRE is responsible for water and natural resources management.
Changes of Ba Be NP management. The Ba Be NP established in 1992, under the
management of MARD. From 2003 to present Ba Be NP is under the management of Bac
Kan province in accordance with the national park regulation. Annually, PPC allocates a
certain amount to support local people and park development.
Knowledge of local people relate to the biodiversity and environmental pollution. Generally,
their knowledge are very much improved. There is no slash and burn practice in the area.
Infrastructure development, local livelihood, health and life expectancy. November 2008,
Bac Kan received a loan project via UN International Fund for Agriculture Development
(IFAD), a loaning amount of 25 million $ for the economic development in 3 districts. The
IFAD project concentrates on livelihood improvement by shifting local self-sufficient
economy to commodity-scale production. The project has a component on environmental
protection. It is expected that poverty ratio will significantly reduced after the project
completion.
Data sources of animal and plant in the Ba Be NP. In 2006, Ba Be NP Management Board
submitted a document to UNESCO for Ba Be to be acknowledged as the world heritage.
This document is prepared on the basics of geological conditions and biodiversity via various
scientific results conducted by int’l and domestic scientists (for instance, PARC, etc.).
H’Mong: hunting, collecting,
nomadic life, shifting cul.
El
ev
ati
on
Dao+San Diu: rice field
cul.
Tày+Nùng: rice+ maize cul.
cultivation
Kinh: wet rice
cultivation
Hoa: trade
Illustration of the ethnic minority group distribution by topographic conditions
in Bac Kan province
Meetings with Ba Be NP Management Board, 4 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting:
1. Mr. Nong The Dien, Director of Ba Be NP, provided basic information about the Ba Be
NP. Ba Be NP established in 1992 by the Prime Minister’s Decision, was one of 8 NPs.
Total area of 10,048 ha and lake area of 500 ha. Its organization includes 73 persons,
contracted-based (20), Directorship (02), 2 units of forest ranger and eco-tourism, 3
divisions of administration, science and techniques, and finance. Ethnic minority groups
mainly include Tay, H’Mong, Dao and Nung. The King people is a small population. Ba Be
is assisted by several national programs such as 134, 134, 30A.
2. Major functions of Ba Be NP are (i) Natural conservation (operation of forest ranger and
community participation; (ii) Science research (collaboration with universities, local scientists
are in shortage); (iii) Eco-tourism (infrastructure development and community participation);
(iv) Environmental education (biodiversification conservation focuses on local inhabitant,
student and visitors); and (iv) Community support (local people living in core zone, forest
land allocation on contract base, tourism services.
3. Biodiversity values in Ba Be are recognized as high biodiversity NP in Asia, one of 4 NPs
classified as Asia heritage in 2003, important wet land that MONRE prepares document to
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
be included in RAMSAR, Ba Be is preparing procedures to be recognized as the world
heritage, 1,268 plant species, 172 aquatic species, etc. Ba Be NP is working with Birdlife, the
Department of Biodiversity Conservation (MONRE), etc. for the registration of the world
natural heritage.
There are 9 communes in Ba Be area, one commune (08 villages) is located in the core zone
(Tay and H’Mong people). The Tay people have been settled in the area long time ago.
Population in buffer and core zones are 15,000 and 2,800, respectively (it is, however,
required further clarification), livelihood rely on field cultivation, forest product collection.
The H’Mong people imigranted the area after 1979, 3 villages, mainly nomadic live. Some
H’Mong people started with wet rice cultivation. Some H’Mong people are still illegally
hunting animals. Due to the difficult economy some H’Mong came down to the South Viet
Nam. The Dao people settled down (since 1979) in the buffer zone and the park’s border.
Both Dao and H’Mong mainly immigrated from provinces Cao Bang and Ha Giang. Poverty
ratio varies 48 – 50%. Local people are encouraged to participate into tourism services (by
providing boats for visitors, building houses, production of local handicraft, etc.) and forest
land allocation for improvement of their living conditions (34 HH groups involved, each
group includes about 10 HHs).
Challenges of natural conservation comprise (i) Shortage of capital and production land; (ii)
Poor education; (iii) Knowledge gap between Tay and H’Mong; (iv) Logging for housing; (v)
Relevant technique transfer to local communities; (vi) Limitation of research on biodiversity
of species (main reasons of lack of budget, human resources, etc).
Management operation in Ba Be area. It is followed by the State’s regulations. Agreement for
is reached among 9 communes, including park development and protection, award and fine,
supervision, against violations (trafficking) etc. The buffer zone is suitable for agricultural
practices. Since the strict management of natural resources, local people intend to move out
core zone for production. Annual management is linked activities of 3 units, forest ranger,
forest resources protection and local technicians. Forest ranger, in connection to local
authorities, is responsible in mobilizing and educating local people to participate forest
protection and management. Questionnaires are applied in monitoring. There is no software
application in the information management and process. It is unofficially observed, however,
that the Department of Biodiversity Conservation is testing a software on data management
of the national parks and natural reserves.
Family planning in the ethnic communities. This planning is implemented via operation of
local women unions. In 2009, as pointed out by the national census there is no increase of
Bac Kan population.
In terms of eco-tourism and environmental education there are promising results, thanks for
that about 18,000 times of visitors during 2008. Foreign language for tourism guide is one of
aspects should be much improved via collaboration with universities. Capacity building for
the Ba Be NP staff should also be strengthened.
Forest land allocation. This is done on the basic of contractual arrangement among local
people themselves, period for 5 years. The contract is written together with a map (or
sketch) of location which identified both by forest ranger and local inhabitant. The payment
is done after 6 months with results of supervision. In principle, the Non-Timber Forest
Product (NTFP) exploitation is prohibited in the core zone. In fact, however, the
Management Board reluctantly accepts for local exploitation of NTFP under fruit, herb,
medicine collection.
Interview with farmer HH (Mr. Hua Van Canh, Village Leader) in Bo Lu village, Nam Mau
commune, 5 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of interview :
1. Pac Ngoi village include 80 HHs, 418 persons, mainly Tay people. Land is not enough for
cultivation (20 HHs lack land for cultivation). Average cultivation land per HH between
3000 – 5000m2, some HHs with 500 m2. Hybrid rice is applied, giving higher yield as
compared to local varieties. Agricultural practice and fishing are main income sources. Forest
exploitation and hunting are completely prohibited, and it is strongly observed by
inhabitants. Poverty ratio is about 60% and no rich HHs.
2. Fishing in buffer zone of Nam Mau is allowed, the fish net procured in Ha Dong. Mesh size
is regulated above 2.5 cm. Mr. Canh does fishing 5 – 6 times a month, income from each is
around 30,000 – 100,000 VND. Another income of his HH comes from raising pig and
chicken. In 2008, due to the diseases that killed almost pigs and chicken in the area.
3. His observation releases that fish sources in the lake are decreased because fishes are
immigrating to downstream in Tuyen Quang during foody seasons. Fish sources are also
impacted by water contamination caused by diesel and noises by boats. Local inhabitants are
facing to difficulties such as shortages of fish, land for cultivation and no exploitation of
forest products. The Spring rice season is threatened by floods.
4. Calamity relief provided by the State is about 100,000 – 200,000 VND, maximally. Local
inhabitant receives annually an amount between 300,000 – 500,000 VND for forest
protection services. The State’s assistance mainly concentrates on the poor HHs in terms of
health care and education.
5. In regard of culture, the Tay and other ethnic people show their own ethnic identities and
cultures, however, their traditional clothes seem no more in their traditional activities
(wedding, funeral, etc.), instead of this, local inhabitants prefer to wear clothes like King
people. Some older women remain a habit of betel chewing. Current cost of a wedding party
is about 6 – 7 million VND. The old custom during funeral seems disappeared. In the
family, people are incensing for their Ancestor during new year and other festivals
Interview with farmer HH (Mr. Nguyen Van Duy, husband and Mrs. Duong Thi Oanh,
wife, Village Leader) in Pac Ngoi village, Nam Mau commune, 5 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of interview :
a) Mr. Nguyen Van Duy (Mr. Duy is doing tourism services, possesses a motor-boat serving for
carrying visitors and other businesses)
1. He and his family are Tay people, stayed in the area for 60 years, a couple and 2 children. His
daughter gets married and has 1 girl. His son lives together with his family in the same
house. Main income derives from boat riding service with an amount 12 million VND a
year. He used to be fishing man (for 8 years) before doing tourism riding service.
2. He has an area of 2600m2 of arable land of which 1000m2 for wet rice plantation and the
remaining area for maize. Income from agricultural practices secures food for his HH for 11
months a year. In the past, according to old custom the older son/daughter should stay
together with the parent for caring them but this condition seems not compulsory.
b) Mrs. Duong Thi Oanh
1. The village management board comprises 5 persons. There is one unit in the village in
charge of forest protection. As a village leader, Mrs. Oanh gives priority on activities to
support to local women (animal husbandry, handicraft, etc.) and she feels confidence and
receives trust from many people.
2. Local people realize benefits from development and protection of the NP via forest
protection contract, firewood collection and tourism services. They are frequently educated
and propagandized about HIV/AIDS diseases. In the village, there is only 1 addicted person
and being sent to the rehabilitation center. The women union is playing key role in assisting
the poor HHs and promoting household economic development, and saving during
traditional festivals. Apart from the State’s regulations, the village has its own village
regulations such as no promotion for wander raising animals, award and fine for violation,
etc. Village has own fund for these operation.
3. Marriageable age is officially regulated 18 for female and 20 for male. Male and female are
freely to get marriage without plural marriage and obligation. In the H’Mong village there are
several couples get married at the age of 14.
Meeting with Nam Mau Commune PC, 5 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting:
1. Short description about the commune : Nam Mau is an isolated commune, in the list of the
extremely difficult districts of the country. Total natural area is 6,478.94 ha, of which
5,854.79 ha (arable land), 171 ha (annual crops); 87.30 ha (rice land); and 5657.71ha (special
forest land). Population of 371 HHs, (1984 persons), of which 161 are poor HHs. There are
8 villages, 4 ethnic minority groups (Tay, Kinh, Dao and H’Mong). Main activity is
agricultural practice with an annual average food per capita of 470kg. Annual average income
is below 1.2 million VND. (Note : poverty line – monthly average income is less than 250,000 VND).
The hybrid rice varieties are applied thanks for their high yield. In fact, however, some
villages remain use local rice varieties because of good quality as compared to the hybrid rice
ones. Arable land is not allowed to sell and/or buy, just the right for use of arable land.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Local inhabitant is entitled to sell residential land (which granted by the Red Certificate).
Foreigner is not allowed to buy the land. but apartment only, when get married with
Vietnamese he or she is allowed to have the land ownership.
There is a secondary school in the commune and 5 sites of primary school in villages. These
schools are under temporary conditions. There are 65 HHs involved in the Tourism
Cooperative (boat service) and 17 HHs open home-stay service. The Ba Be NP and
commune PC are targeting tourism as the way for economic development.
Main challenges in the commune and solutions. The H’Mong people remain shifting
cultivation and nomadic life. Shortage of land for production. There are many solutions
taken such as the application of the Directive 134 and 167, allocation of arable land,
prevention of forest encroachment, creation of new jobs and occupations for improvement
of income, etc. Since no land available in the Ba Be NP, thus land allocation is mainly
conducted in the other areas of district and province.
Local custom. Ethnic minority people have their own custom. The H’Mong people are
mostly following Protestantism. The local communal administration is mainly participated by
the Tay and Dao. At the village level, this structure can be Tay, Dao and H’Mong, depending
on actual situation. There is no radical discrimination among ethnic groups. Religious and
non-religious people are living together peacefully. There is, however, no evidence of marry
between the Protestant (H’Mong) and non-Protestant.
Mass organizations and their activities. The Youth Union takes responsibility the in
dissemination of the State’s policies, to visit and assist the poor HHs (via housing, repair
houses, etc.), promote cultural, sport activities. The Youth Union staff is trained via many
short-courses. The War Veteran Union comprises 60 members, its member take part into
many social activities such as public movement on poverty reduction, law education, etc.
The Father Front is responsible to mobilize people in the great unity movement, assist and
support to the poor HHs, call for calamity relief, etc. The Fatherland Front is also
responsible to elect the people’s representatives and supervise the implementations of local
resolution. During the recent 5-year term of the local People’s Council there is no displace of
any People’s Council member.
Benefit sharing. In regard of boat riding, the rider and Cooperative are shared 75% and 25 of
benefit, respectively. The Cooperative pays tax and other fees from the said amount of 25%.
Forest lands that allocated to inhabitant are mainly natural and re-generated forest land.
There exists a contract between local inhabitant and commune authority in regard of forest
care and protection, forest prevention, patrolling, propagation, etc. ( supervision applies 3
times a month).
Meeting with Tuyen Quang PPC (DARD, DONRE and Dept. of Culture, Sport and
Tourism), 9 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting :
1. A short description about the LD project (by Mr. Toan, NIAPP, Vice Director). Objectives,
activities, int’l cooperation in scientific research on biodiversity, scenarios, expected outputs
and outcomes, etc.
2. Short description about Tuyen Quang and Na Hang NR. Total provincial area is 587,038 ha
of which 445,618 ha for forest land, about 25,000 ha for arable land, 16,00o for other
agricultural practices (cereals), about 60,000 ha of hilly land. Administration system includes
5 districts, 1 provincial town and 140 communes and wards. Agricultural activities are mainly
occupied. It is planned from 2010 to shift to a new structure of industry, construction and
agro-forest services.
3. There are 3 special forests in the province (i) Tat Ke – Ban Bung (above 22,000 ha) ; (ii)
Chang Chu, gene conservation, highest elevation 1,587 m ; and (iii) Tan TRao, Kim Binh,
Da Bang, historic and cultural conservation. Na Hang area is considered as highest forest
coverage in Viet Nam. However, before construction of the reservoir there were 41,000 ha
of special forest and this area very much decreased by the construction (22,000 ha at
present). Many foreign and domestic researchers conduct studies on biodiversity in the area.
4. MARD is responsible to detect forest changes, and forest inventory and quality management
will be nationally started from 2010. MONRE sets up a plan for conservation of genes.
There are several activities done for conservation such as inundated and semi-inundated
forest protection, investigation of aquatic species (immigration), environmental gauge
station, strictly prohibition of natural resources exploitation, economic development in the
buffer zone, etc. Tuyen Quang PPC is implementing 2 plannings on water resources
protection and environmental protection. Tuyen Quang PPC also plans to relocate local
people to the other areas in order to have enough land for production. Annually DONRE
conducts water quality assessment (surface and ground). Survey reports indicate no
groundwater contamination.
5. There are many historic heritages (more than 500), such as Revolutionary Safe Zone, etc.,
and tourism sites suchas mineral spring in My Lam, Na Hang hydropower reservoir, etc.
Evey September a year there is an event organized for promotion of local tourism and
culture. Tuyen Quang PPC plans to promote local products such as wine, steamed sticky
rice, orange, handicraft, etc. There are 12 ethnic minority groups, mainly Tay, Dao, H’Mong,
Kinh, Hoa, etc. Each ethnic groups has own plentiful tradition festivals and music
performance.
Meeting with Na Hang Forest Ranger, 9 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting :
1. Na Hang Management Board established by the Decision QĐ 849/6-4-1994. Na Hang NR
cover 5 communes Thanh Tuong, Son Phú, Vĩnh Yên, Côn Lôn, Khau Tinh, area of 36,646
ha (89% by forest). The Forest Ranger Unit established in 1998 by the Decision QĐ
1115/9-11-1998. There are 3 forest types : (i) Special forest ; (ii) Production forest and (iii)
Protection forest. The special forest area is decreased because of the construction of Na
Hang hydropower plant. There exist legal documents on forest development and
management (Decree 159 TTg, Ordinance 44 in 2002, etc.). The allocated forest
management is financed 100,000 VND a year. The production forest was allocated for local
inhabitants for management. Management of special and protection forests is contracted
with the afforestation persons under the Na Hang Forest Ranger. The district PC is
requesting the Tuyen QuangPPC and MARD to allow local people to be contracted for
management of the special and protection forests.
2. In Na Hang NR there are many specious species with high biodiversity. The PARC (2002 –
2003) conducted in the area and indicated value and important results. Pesticide is applied by
local inhabitants during plantation. It would be better of management when Na Hang – Ba
Be complex to be recognized as the world natural heritage.
3. There are many ethnic minority groups such as Tày (34.5%), Dao (26.2%), H’Mông (11.6%),
Kinh, Cao Lan, Nùng, Hoa, Thái, etc. Generally, they are the poor and doing agricultural
cultivation and having low income (mainly from rice and maize cultivation).
Meeting with Thanh Tuong commune PC, 10 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting :
1. A short description about Thanh Tuong commune. Natutal area is about 10,400 ha, mainly
by forest area (70%) but production forest is merely small (51 ha). Population is 2,800, 5
ethnic minority groups, main livelihood relies on agriculture. Poverty ratio is about 26%
(Ban Bung village is the most poor). There is no market in the commune. Water for
production (especially in dry season) is very limited.
2. Labor and income in the area. There is a small paper mill with 40 workers. Paper material is
provided from a 500-ha forest. Local people believe that the operation of paper mill will
certainly bring about impact on the downstream of Gam river, below Thanh Tuong
commune. A part of local young are workers in industrial zones in the South. There are 26
persons in Thanh Tuong are workers abroad and 50 are working outside of the province.
During the construction of Na Hang Hydropower Plant, local people receive additional
income by selling food and goods to the construction workers. Nowadays, the main income
derives from fishing in the reservoir.
3. Mass organization. The Youth Union is responsible on dissemination and propagation of the
State’s policies and public movements. They also take part into the local economic
development (in collaboration with the Bank for the Poor). The communal party cell
includes 174 members; they are actively participating to the Poverty reduction process. The
Women Union involves the mobilization of women’s activities such as household economy
development, against family violence, prostitute, etc. This Union collaborates with other
local organization such as youth, farmer unions, etc.
4. Forest management. There are 3 forest ranger stations. Thanh Tuong is testing model of
forest allocation (production forest) with local communities through an annual contract
signed between individual and communal PC. The commune Leader believes the
management of protection forest would be better when this forest type is allocated and
contracted with local communities.
5. The Delegation also visited 2 HHs, rich and better-off families in the village.
Meeting with Son Phu commune PC, 10 November 2009
Participants list – see the Annex II
Contents of the meeting :
1. A short description about Son Phu commune. Son Phu comprises 8 villages, mainly by
agricultural practice, 2 rice seasons (Winter-Spring and Autumn). Natural area is 12,772 ha of
which 1,373 ha of arable land and 1,594 ha of forest land. Population is 2,735, major ethnic
groups include Tay, Dao (60%), Kinh, H’Mong. Before the construction of Na Hang
Hydropower Plant, the Tay people were mainly occupied, however, after the construction
finished the Tay people relocated in other areas. Consequently, the Dao people are
dominantly at present. The Kinh people are doing business and trade along the main access
road. Water for production are limited in dry season. Drinking water is directly collected
from rocky mountains.
2. Labour and major income. Apart from the agricultural production, there are about 20 young
people registered as workers in the outside industrial areas (Binh Duong). Several HHs raise
buffalo, 2 buffalos a HH averagely. Animal and poultry trade, and local wine production are
other activities in the commune. Due to the commune is far from the hydropower dam, thus
local people are not much benefited from the reservoir operation. Fishing and tourism seem
promising activities but local people haven’t been yet familiar with the sounds. After the
PARC the commune started the so-called PARC Shan tea (6 ha) with high quality but small
quantity. Local people desire a support from the Government for further development of
this tea.
3. Mass organizations and forest management. The Women Union involves the family
planning, sanitation, social activities, etc. The Veteran Union comprises 60 members are
carrying some models on economic development (animal husbandry, production,
afforestation, etc.) through capital sources mobilized from their own and State’s loaning.
Forest ranger includes 3 staff only, i.e 20% as officially regulated. They do believe that the
more rights are entitled the better forest management is achieved.
4. The Delegation also visited Ban Da village and family of Son Phu’s Leader.
Annex II – List of meeting participants during LD Field Trip visits, 1-14 November, 2009
No
Name
Position
Institution
Address (Tel, e-mail)
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38213317/ Fax: 84-438214163
Date: 2nd November, 2009 – Meeting at NIAPP
1
Dr. Nguyen Van Toan
Deputy Director
E-mail:
nguyentoanniapp@gmail.com
2
Vu Cong Lan
Head of Int’ Cooperation and
Project Management Division
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38213317/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail: htqt-niapp@hn.vnn.vn
3
Dr. Nguyen Thanh Xuan
Head of GIS and Remote
Sensing Center
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38214740/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail:
xuan.rsc.niapp@gmail.com
4
Do Minh Phuong
Expert of GIS and Remote
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38214740/ Fax: 84-4-
No
Name
Position
Institution
Sensing Center
Address (Tel, e-mail)
38214163
E-mail: dphuong@gmail.com
5
Vuong Thuc Tran
Expert of Int’ Cooperation and
Project Management Division
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38213317/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail: tran1273@yahoo.com
6
Dr. Hoang Xuan Phuong
Deputy Head of Agro Economic
Zonning Division
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38214921/ Fã: 84-438214163
E-mail:
hoangxuanphuong@gmail.com
7
Nguyen Bao Cham
Expert of Environmental
Resource Center
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38214714/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail:
baocham76@yahoo.com
8
Lai Ngoc Thanh
Expert of Int’ Cooperation and
Project Management Division
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38213317/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail: htqt-niapp@hn.vnn.vn
9
Vu Thuc Linh
Expert of Int’ Cooperation and
Project Management Division
NIAPP
Tel: 84-4-38213317/ Fax: 84-438214163
E-mail: htqt-niapp@hn.vnn.vn
No
Name
Position
Institution
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Date: 3rd – 6th November, 2009: Field trip in Ba Be National Park, Bac Can province
Nov. 3rd
15:00 – 17:00
1
Meeting at Bac Can Provincial People’s Committee (PPC, DARD, DONRE, Department of Culture, Sport and
Tourism)
Hoang Ngoc Duong
Deputy Chairman
Bac Can Provincial
People’s Committee
Tel: 84-281-3871800/ Fax: 84281-3871751
E-mail:
duonghn@baccan.gov.vn
2
Nguyen Cong Duc
Deputy Director
Department of Culture,
Sport and Tourism
3
Truong Van Dinh
Deputy Director
DARD
4
Tran Nguyen
Deputy Director
DONRE
5
Nong The Dien
Director
Ba Be National Park
Management Board
6
Can Van Minh
Deputy Chief of PPC’ Office
Bac Can Provincial
People’s Committee
7
Tran Thi Thanh
Expert of PPC’ Office
Bac Can Provincial
People’s Committee
8
Ha Thanh
Reporter
Bac Can Newspaper
No
Name
Position
Institution
9
Bich Ngoc
Reporter
Bac Can Newspaper
10
Phuc Thiep
Reporter
Bac Can Television and
Broadcasting
11
Thu Trang
Reporter
Bac Can Television and
Broadcasting
Nov. 4th
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Meeting at Ba Be National Park Management Board
8:00 – 11:00
1
Mr. Nong The Dien
Director
Ba Be National Park
Management Board
Tel: 84-2813894027/ Fax: 842813894026
HP: 0912145001
E-mail: thedien@hn.vnn.vn
2
Nov. 4th
Pham Van Nam
Technical expert
Ba Be National Park
Management Board
Meeting at Dong Phuc Commune People’s Committee (CPC, Women’s Union)
14:00 – 15:00
1
Ha Van Thuong
Chairman
Dong Phuc CPC
2
Hoang Van Tue
Deputy Secretary
Commune’s Party
Commission
Tel: 0948582558
E-mail namvbb@gmail.com
No
Name
Position
Institution
3
Trieu Van Chung
Deputy Chairman
Commune People’s
Council
4
Ma Huong Xuong
Cadastral staff
Land management and
construction division of
CPC
5
Hoang Thi Hac
Chairman
Women’s Union of
Commune
6
Ha Thi Huong
Staff
Administrative office of
CPC
Nov. 5th
8:00 – 9:00
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Meeting at Nam Mau Commune People’s Committee (CPC, Women’s Union, Youth Union, Veteran Union,
Farmer’s Union, Fatherland Front Association)
1
Tran Van Lap
Chairman
CPC
2
Nguyen Thi Xuan
Deputy Chairman
Farmer’s Union
3
Dong Xuan Tich
Chairman
Veteran Union
4
Hoang Van Chuyen
Chairman
Fatherland Front
Associasion
5
Dong Van Vinh
Secterary
Youth Union
Date: 9th – 11th November, 2009: Field trip in Na Hang Nature Reserve, Tuyen Quang province
No
Nov. 9th
15:00 – 17:00
Name
Position
Institution
Meeting at Tuyen Quang Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural development (DARD, DONRE,
Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism)
1
Ma Van Duc
Deputy Director
Department of Culture,
Sport and Tourism
2
Nguyen Hoang Hai
Deputy Director
DONRE
3
Nguyen Cong Nong
Deputy Director
DARD
4
Do Dinh Tuan
Expert
Dept. of Culture, Sport
and Tourism
5
Le Hai Hung
Division Head
Division of Planning
and Finance of DARD
6
Le Quang Hoa
Expert
Sub-department of
forestry, DARD
7
Pham Van Hanh
Deputy Head of division
Division of biodiversity
conservation of Subdepartment of Forestry,
DARD
Nov. 10th
8:00 – 9:00
1
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Meeting at Thanh Tuong Commune People’s Committee (CPC, Women’s Union, Youth Union, Veteran Union,
Farmer’s Union, Fatherland Front Association)
Hoang Bao
Chairman
Thanh Tuong
Commune People’s
No
Name
Position
Institution
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Committee
2
Trieu Viet Vong
Secretary
Commune Party
Commission
3
Ma Thi Khua
Chairman
Women’s Union and
Fatherland Front
Association
4
Ma Thanh Khiet
Secterary
Youth Union
5
Nong Hong Quan
Forest ranger
Thanh Tuong forest
protection station
6
Ma Van Huan
Forest ranger
Thanh Tuong forest
protection station
Nov. 11th
9:00 – 10:00
Meeting at Son Phu Commune People’s Committee (CPC, Women’s Union, Youth Union, Veteran Union, Farmer’s
Union, Fatherland Front Association)
1
Nong Van Ly
Chairman
CPC
2
Phung Dung Qyen
Deputy Chairman
CPC
3
Nong Duc Hien
Chairman
Veretan Association
4
La Thi Ly
Deputy chairman
Women’s Union
5
Trieu Tien Phin
Deputy chairman
Commune people’s
No
Name
Position
Institution
Address (Tel, e-mail)
council
6
Nov. 13th
Nong Van Bong
Head of forest protection station
Son Phu forest
protection station.
Meeting with Water Resource Management Department (MONRE)
8:30 – 9:30
1
Nov. 13th
Thai Van Tien
Deputy head
Legislative and Policy
Division
Tel: 84-4-39434855
E-mail: tienthaivan@gmail.com
Meeting with Biodiversity Conservation Agency (General Department of Environment Administration, (MONRE)
10:00 – 11:00
1
Duong Thanh An
Deputy Director
Biodiversity
Conservation Agency
(BCA)
Tel : 84-4-39412030/ Fax : 844-39412028
E-mail : dtan@nea.gov.vn
2
Nguyen Tri Thanh
Head of Division
Int’ Cooperation and
Science and Technilogy
Team Office of BCA
E-mail: trithanh@nea.gov.con
3
Nguyen Xuan Dung
Chief of administrative office
Adminstrative office of
BCA
E-mail:
xuandungbt@gmail.com
4
Tran Ngoc Cuong
Head of Division
Ecological Division,
BCA
E-mail:
tranngoccuong1962@gmail.com
No
5
Nov. 13th
Name
Hoang Thanh Vinh
Position
Expert
Institution
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Int’ Cooperation
Division, BCA
E-mail: hoangvinh@nea.gov.vn
Forest Protection
Department
E-mail: huudzung@gmail.com
Meeting with Forest Protection Department, MARD
13:30 – 14:30
1
Nov. 13th
Nguyen huu Dung
Deputy Director
Meeting with Research Institute for Tourism Development
15:00 – 16:00
1
Pham Trung Luong
Deputy Director
Research Institute for
Tourism Development
E-mail:
phamtrngluong@gmail.com
2
Do Thi Thanh Hoa
Expert
Int’ Cooperation and
Training Division
E-mail: hoa_itdr@yahoo.co.uk
Head of Unit
Governance and
Business Unit
Tel: 84-4-37261574/5 Ext. 135
Nov. 13th
Meeting with IUCN
16:30 – 17:30
1
Pham Minh Duc
Fax: 84-4-37261561/
Mobile: 84-904225455
E-mail: duc@iucn.org.vn
No
2
Name
Thuy Anh
Position
Expert
Institution
Governance and
Business Unit
Address (Tel, e-mail)
Annex III – Background Documentation
During the trip the LiveDiverse team collected documentation related to the Ba Be
Ethnic Minority Groups, and religious groups in Vietnam (see below). In addition, the
team received the Ba Be National Park operational plan for 2001-2005, the Vietnam
National Report on Protected Areas and Development, 2003 and the Na Hang Nature
Reserve operational plan for 2003-2007.
Ba Be Lake is located in the northern midland of Bac Kan province at elevation
145m above sea level and is surrounded by limestone mountains up to 1.754m high.
The Ba Be lake is 240km far from Ha Noi Capital. It is thought that the lake was
formed 200 million years ago. Ba Be is named because three lakes intercommunicate
with each other with a total length of 8km and 3km wide.
There are seven ethnic groups in the region including Tay, Nung, Dao and Hmong
..., in which Tay ethnic group constitutes 61%. Customs and cultural traditions of
these ethnic groups have attracted many domestic tourists as well as international
tourists.
Ba Be Lake is the most beautiful landscapes of Bac Kan with a great treasure of
special traditional cultural identity of ethnic minorities. Ba Be Lake Festival is held on
9th and 10th of January by lunar calendar. Boat racing, throwing, wrestling, archery
and dance performances, traditional singing held during the festival. Festival will also
help the guests all over the world to better understand about the people and cultural
traditions in the region.
The lake has many small islands, especially the Fairy Pond, where a legend has it that
this is the place where fairy from heaven come to bath and play chess. Ba Be seems
more beautiful when there are primeval forests with rich fauna and flora and every
river, spring look like strip of soft silk
Tay Cultural village by Ba Be Lake
More than 70 houses with Tay ancient architectural style bungalows are based on back
on the cliff, reflected down the Ba Be lake form a full of charm picture. That is Pac
Ngoi cultural village in Nam Mau Commune, Ba Be district, Bac Kan province.
Locating in the core of Ba Be national park at elevation 1.000 m above sea level, Pác
Ngòi is called by Tay language, means river estuary flows to the lake. Behind the village is
Pu - Phia – Miang mountain and in front of the village is Ta Leng spring. Pac Ngoi
village has 80 households with 400 people, mostly Tay ethnic group reside. Pac Ngoi is
one of the few villages preserving customs and practices with typical Tay national
identity.
To Pac Ngoi villages, in addition to enjoy natural beauty in the Ba Be National Park,
visitors will admire the old houses, hear the Then, Sli tunes, which also quite original and
impressive. At present, village has established a music team with 12 actors are men and
women passionate dances, songs of the own nation leading by artisan Trieu Van Thu (a
good singer on Then tune, play the music instruments: flute, clarinet, Tinh musical
instrument) as captain. The music team usually performs for local people in any cases of
village’s activities
Village cultural house construction is newly completed
In addition, there are opportunities to learn about the habits of the Tay, immerse in the
Then, Sli songs, live with festival for fruitful cropping season, festival to pray for rain,
the ceremony for child’s full month, celebration of life longevity of the elderly people,
etc., see by own eyes how the local people weaving brocade, cooking corn liquor, pare a
dug-out canoe, enjoying the national dishes cook by local people.
Tay ethnic people here have better living standard than previously, thanks to tourist
development and the reduction of deforestation, hunting of wild animals. State allocates
forests for Tay people to protection and conserve. In Tay language, forests mean Pu,
family of Mr. Dang, is assigned to look after Pu Lang Luong (the forest behind the
house) and Pu Na Tang (forests in front of village). According to him, the people have
been assigned to protect the forest into teams, each team consists of nine households to
take care and control of 30 hectares of forest. Remuneration for forest protection of
each household paid by the state is 1.2 to 1.4 million VND per year. (By Mr. Nguyen Van
Dang, a boat rider in Pac Ngoi village)
Pác Ngòi village, Nam Mau commune,
Ba Be district
Music performance
Dao ethnic in Bac Can
Weaving of Dao ethnic in Bac Kan still retain their culture to serve families, from
indigo dyed cloth, made into tiny patterns.
So far in the Bac Kan province, Dao Tien group still practice this activity, some Dao
groups such as : Dao Do (Red), Dao Ao Dai (long dress), etc. have been accustomed to
fabric weaving for longstanding. Dao Tien women must know how to weave the
patterns on her waistband. Red Dao woman are skillful in making bag fiber. Types of
waistband or bag fiber weaving of Dao Tien and Dao Do people are simple but require
patience of the women with good ability in the process of weaving.
Particular, the creation of costumes of Dao people is the art of embroidery patterns on
the fabric of women. They just embroidered by imagination, but they never draw
available samples. In particular, creating artistic patterns on the skirts of the Dao Tien
people in Bac Kan still retain the basic features. It is art created through the dot pattern,
painted with beeswax. However, Dao people only practice weaving at idle time.
Other names: Mán, Ðông, Trại, Dìu Miền, Kim Miền, Lù Gang, Làn Tẻn, Ðại Bản, Tiểu
Bản, Cốc Ngáng, Cốc Mùn, Sơn Ðầu
Language: Mông - Dao
Residence: Along the border of Vietnam - China, Vietnam - Laos; some midland and
the northern coast provinces, which mainly concentrated in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang,
Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Quang Ninh, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lai Chau, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen,
Son La, Hoa Binh, Phu Tho ... Others living in the southern part of the country such as
Dak Lak, Lam Dong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Dak Nong and Eastern South (Dong Nai, Binh
Phuoc).
Economy: Dao people live mainly by growing upland rice and wet rice with rather
progress farming techniques. They just practice both upland and wet land cultivation. In
the past they specialized in shifting cultivation, meaning that the after five or seven years
they leave the village to find new land. Today, Dao people has dropped this custom and
built new sedentary life. They can do both develop farms and practice forest protection
and rational exploitation.
Habits: Dao people worship ancestors called as Ban Ho. Through the middle name
define the family line and hierarchical.
Marriage and family: After the wedding, the man must live with his wife’s family.
Duration of staying in wife’s family can be a few years or permanently.
The custom of funeral and burial: Funeral and burial customs according to ancient
rules. Some areas have custom of cremate the dead from 12 years of age onward.
Culture: Dao people have longstanding culture and history of folk knowledge is very
rich, especially traditional medicine. They have no separate written script that they use
Chinese characters modified to Dao language called as Nom Dao (Chinese-transcribed
Vietnamese-Dao).
Housing: House architecture of Dao people is also very rich, they may live in the house
with no upstairs or in the house with half of stairs and half in ground floor. Currently at
the Museum of Vietnam Ethnography the house with half of stairs and half in ground
floor is selected for display and introduction. Type the house with half of stairs and half
in ground floor is the typical architecture style of Dao people’s house, associated with
their shifting cultivation life in the past. Especially the whole house of Dao' peoples is
made of bamboo, without any brick and tile. Eight pillars in the house made of precious
timbers, with very old age 80-90 years.
Dress: Male wear trousers, shirt. Women's clothing is more plentiful. Dao men have long
hair and twist into a bun, or leave a top tuft of hair. Common dress is indigo pants and
short shirt or long shirt. Women's clothing is richer and still remains the traditional
decorated pattern with traditional scarf.
Dao Ethnic
Dao Do(Red) people
Dao tiền people (Coin)
Festival to pray for fruitful cropping season
House with half of stairs and half in
ground floor
Mông Ethnic
Mong ethnic group residing primarily in the high mountains of
northern mountainous provinces, but mainly concentrated in
Ha Giang, Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son,
Cao Bang and western of Thanh Hoa , Nghe An. Mong ethnic
group is relatively crowded, they live in many countries such as
China, Laos, Thailand, Burma, etc. Therefore, in Vietnam
Mong ethnic people mainly distribute along the borders with
China and Laos . Mong ethnic group has many different
Mong people in a festival. branches such as Mông Trắng (White), Mông Hoa (flower),
Mông Đỏ (Red), Mông Đen (black) and many local names
such as Mẹo, Miêu, Na Miếu.
Mong ethnic group has experienced in clearing trees for cultivation, planting upland rice,
corn and other temperate fruit trees as pear, plum, apricot, peach. Mong people have
extraordinary patience.
Patriarch of Mong ethnic groups has very important role. Voice of the patriarch takes
decisive in marriage, burial, marriage, worship, reconciliation. This is also a prominent
feature of Mong ethnic. New Year festival of Mong people begin in mid December to
mid January by lunar calendar.
Customs and Habits
Life: Primarily livelihood is clearing trees for cultivation of upland rice, corn on the high
mountain, Mong people have experience in making terrace fields and irrigation to
cultivate single rice crop and maize, in addition Mong people also grow medicinal plants
as Xuyen Khung (local name), cardamom, tea, and raising cattle and poultry.
Mong people plant flax for getting fabric to weave clothes, dress of Mong people is
weaved, embroidered by themselves, especially woman's costume is very sophisticated
including: Skirt, brassiere, shirt, scarf... decorated colorful, skirt decorated with beeswax
and painted very elaborately made.
Culture: Mong ethnic group has its own cultural identity, maintained and passed from
this generation to another generation during survival and development process such as
voice, script, culture and the national costume, and habits of Mong ethnic group are
featured by community's sympathy with close collaboration between the family and the
nation; Mong culture is expressed in psychological thought, the action in the festival and
the folk songs, etc.,
Mong people's practices related to spiritual life, there are taboo as: Plug green leaves
front the yard, when the happy, sad, birth, sickness, etc., happen. The Mong people
believe that people in the same family line are brothers with same ancestor, and may be
giving birth or die in the house of another, always help each other in life, saving each
other in danger.
Housing: House has its own characteristics. House of Mong people usually has three
rooms without lean-to. Wooden skeleton with simple structure, mainly three columns
with parallel girder or two girders. Three rooms-house: the main room is in the middle
always placed ancestral altar. It is also a place for everyday eating. One gable room or
activities of male members and male guests, an auxiliary kitchen is in adjacent to this
room. The other gable room in the other side is for the activities of women, is also a
place of the main kitchen. Kitchen of the Mong people is type of closed kitchen- stove a product of the North.
Marriage of Mong people: traditional practice is free choosy. Who are in same family
line are not allowed to get married. Mong ethnic group has a custom called abduction,
pulled wife, when a man loves a girl then the man pulls the girl to his home and inform
to girl’s parents, after 2-3 days the girl does not run away, the man family will conduct
betrothal ceremony. After 3 days of child born the family organizes ceremony to give a
name and the call on the soul to the child.
Funeral: In the past the dead is placed on a casket hanging on the walls of altar facing
the main entrance, when the dead breathe one’s last, normally three shots are fired off to
give the signal to the villagers, the dead is often kept for long in the house from 5-6 days.
Nowadays when a person in the family pass away, Mong ethnic group has dropped the
custom of shooting, instead the village head will announce for people in the village to
visit and bring offerings to the deceased person and condolences with his family. Today
this unsound customs was removed, the organization of funerals as same as other ethnic
groups.
New Year Festival: Traditional New Year Festival of Mong people in the old days
usually held in December by solar calendar. Today Mong ethnic group celebrate New
Year festival by lunar calendar as same as some other ethnic groups, Lunar Calendar
Year’s Eve is not compulsory to be in the thirtieth day of the lunar calendar, which is
depending on each family, they can choose a good day before and after the thirtieth day
of the lunar calendar to worship and burn incense for the ancestors. In the 1st day of
January by Lunar Calendar when lighting a fire, it is absolutely not blown the stove and
not to souse soup on rice, etc., since the customary is to abstain from storm, wind to
avoid being in the wind storm, house collapse, damaging crops in the year. In the
morning of 1st of Jan. , all work in the family are mainly taken by men from the cooking
rice, washing dishes, etc. ... in the day 1st of Jan. people abstain from not washing clothes,
people usually plug green leaves in front of house for 3 days. In the 1st of Jan. it is
absolutely not to wake one another up early, each one wants to get up as one likes. After
3 days young men and women go out to enjoy the spring, they usually dress beautiful
clothes, enjoy badminton game, play the flute, pan-pipe and singing love songs, etc.,
Source: (Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism of Bac Can Province)
RELIGIONS IN VIET NAM
I.
1.1.
1.2.
1.3.
1.4.
1.5.
1.6.
1.7.
II.
MAJOR CHARACTERS OF RELIGIONS IN VIET NAM
Due to cultural, historic, geographical and population characteristics that the
religions in Viet Nam are very much complicated and diversified.
Belief, religion in Viet Nam are intermixed, condescending and lenient in their
religious activities.
Belief, religion in Viet Nam are always deficated by persons those are well
deserved for the nation (heroes, etc.).
The Vietnamese religious followers are mainly laborers, almostly farmers, and
featured by patrionism, having religious belief and demand of normal religious
activities.
Number of dignitaries, monks and professional religious activists is high and they
are divided.
Almost religions in Viet Nam are widely connected with the international
religious organizations.
In the past and at present, the religions in Viet Nam are taken advantage in some
extent by reactionary forces.
MAIN RELIGIONS IN VIET NAM
2.1.
The Buddhism
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2004, there
were 9,038,064 Buddhism followers and 35,761 Buddhism monks. Education system
included 4 Buddhism Institutes, 5 Buddhism Colleges, 38 Buddhism intermediate
schools.
2.2.
The Catholism:
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2004, there
were5,572,525 followers of which 320,246 were ethnic minority people. There were 6
firaries with 1,044 postulants, 130 vocational centers, etc.
2.3.
The Protestanism:
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2005 in the
North Viet Nam, there were more than 100,000 Mong followers and more than 10,000
Dao ones, Bac Can (6,892), Tuyen Quang (8,530), Thai Nguyen (4,571), etc.
2.4.
The Muslim:
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2005, there
were 64,991 followers, 77 mosques, etc.
2.5.
The Cao Dai and Hoa Hao Buddhism (mainly in South Viet Nam):
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2004, there
were 2,434,000 Cao Dai followers, 1,205 oratories, etc.
According to the official statistic of the Government’s Religion Board, in 2004, there
were 1,232,572 Hoa Hao Buddhism followers, 35 pagodas, etc.
III.
MAIN VIEWPOINTS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF VIET NAM ON THE
RELIGION ISSUES
3.1.
Belief, religion are spiritual demand of a part of people, being and will be existed
together with national development progress.
The Government and Party are consistently implementing a policy of nation
great unity, without discrimination with any belief, religious reason.
The religious works are mainly related to public mobilization.
The religious works are responsibilities of entire national political system.
Concerning the enter the region and carry on missionary work, these and other
religious activities should be observed the Constitution and laws.
3.2.
3.3.
3.4.
3.5.
IV.
SOME GOVERNMENT’S AND PARTY DOCUMENTS RELATE TO THE
RELIGION IN VIET NAM
4.1.
Directive 37-CT/TW, 02 July 1998, the Central Executive Communist Party.
Directive on the religious works in the new situation
Resolution 25-NQ/TW, 12 March 2003, the Central Executive Communist
Party. Resolution of the 7th Conference, 9th Session. Resolution on the religious
works.
The Standing Committee of National Assembly, 21/2004/PL-UBTVQH 11.
Ordinance on Belief, Religion.
The Government Decree 22/2005/ND-CP, 1st March 2005. Decree on
Guidance for Implementing Articles of the Ordinance on Belief, Religion.
The Government’s Prime Minister Directive 01/2005/CT-TTg, 4th February
2005. Prime Minister’s Directive on the works for the Protestant.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.
Source: The Religion Publishing House, Ha Noi 2007. Some Topics on Religions and Religious
Policies in Viet Nam.
Annex IV - Images from field trip visits
Visit farmer household in Ban Chan, Dong Phuc commune
Visit Bo Lu village, Nam Mau commune
Visit Pac Ngoi village, Nam Mau commune
Meeting with Tuyen Quang PPC
Meeting with Na Hang Forest Ranger
Meeting with Thanh Tương commune PC
Visit Bản Bung, Thanh Tương commune
Visit Bản Dạ, Sơn Phú commune
Meeting with Bac Kan PPC
Visit Ba Be Lake