Reinforcing adaptation: How climate change perceptions and land tenure security shape ethnic minority resilience in Vietnam

Abstract

This study investigates how climate change perceptions and land tenure security shape ethnic minority resilience and adaptation strategies, focusing on Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a quantitative survey of 398 small-scale households in 2024 with qualitative insights from field notes and in-depth interviews with key informants. The findings reveal that households adopt diverse strategies, including crop diversification, climate-resilient varieties, and improved irrigation systems, to mitigate climate risks. However, adaptation outcomes are influenced by sociodemographic factors such as education, labor availability, and gender dynamics. Secure land tenure emerges as a critical enabler of long-term investments in sustainable practices, while tenure insecurity, evident in disputes, acquisition concerns, and constrained decision-making, limits adaptive capacity. Additionally, households' perceptions of climate change, particularly concerning productivity and labor intensity, significantly shape their responses. These findings underscore the importance of integrating land tenure reforms, gender-sensitive policies, and awareness campaigns into Vietnam's climate adaptation agenda. This would offer scalable solutions for other vulnerable regions globally.