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Resilience for Just Transitions of Agroecosystems Under Climate Change: Northern Midlands and Mountains, Vietnam

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  • Tung Song Nguyen

    (Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 10071, Vietnam)

  • Leslie Mabon

    (School of Engineering and Innovation, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK)

  • Huong Thu Thi Doan

    (Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 10071, Vietnam)

  • Ha Van Le

    (Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 10071, Vietnam)

  • Thu Huyen Thi Nguyen

    (Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 10071, Vietnam)

  • Duan Van Vu

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa 45000, Vietnam)

  • Dap Dinh Nguyen

    (Institute of Human Geography and Sustainable Development, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, Hanoi 10071, Vietnam)

Abstract

The aim of this research is to identify policy and practice interventions that support a just transition towards resilient practices for resource-dependent communities. We focus on Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, two provinces in the Northern Midlands and Mountains of Vietnam. The region is reliant on agriculture but is assessed as highly vulnerable to climate change. We surveyed 105 farming households. A Likert-type questionnaire asked respondents to self-assess their experiences of weather extremes and of changes they had made to their farming practices. Our results show that for both Thai Nguyen and Phu Tho, farmers see the effects of climate change on their crops. Respondents in Thai Nguyen were more likely to report technically driven adaptation and engagement with extension services. Respondents in Pho Tho were more likely to continue traditional practices. For both, use of traditional knowledge and practices was related to taking measures to adapt to climate change. Our main conclusion is that at least three actions could support a just transition to resilient livelihoods. First is incorporating natural science and traditional knowledge into decision-making for just transitions. Second is considering long-term implications of interventions that appear to support livelihoods in the short term. Third is tailoring messaging and engagement strategies to the requirements of the most vulnerable people. The main message of this study is that a just transition for resource-dependent communities will inevitably be context-specific. Even in centralized and authoritarian contexts, flexibility to adapt top-down policies to locals’ own experiences of changing climates is needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tung Song Nguyen & Leslie Mabon & Huong Thu Thi Doan & Ha Van Le & Thu Huyen Thi Nguyen & Duan Van Vu & Dap Dinh Nguyen, 2025. "Resilience for Just Transitions of Agroecosystems Under Climate Change: Northern Midlands and Mountains, Vietnam," World, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-23, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jworld:v:6:y:2025:i:3:p:102-:d:1713582
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Nathan J. Bennett & Jessica Blythe & Andrés M. Cisneros-Montemayor & Gerald G. Singh & U. Rashid Sumaila, 2019. "Just Transformations to Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-18, July.
    5. Natarajan, Nithya & Newsham, Andrew & Rigg, Jonathan & Suhardiman, Diana, 2022. "A sustainable livelihoods framework for the 21st century," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
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