Urbanization and Post-Acquisition Livelihood in a Peri-Urban Context in Vietnam: A Geographical Comparison between Hanoi, Danang, and Vinh City

Abstract

The process of transitioning from a rural to an urban setting and from an agricultural to an industrial economy is referred to as urbanization, a complex socioeconomic process. Peri-urbanization is very common in Vietnam, and urban centers are expanding into rural areas. However, there is frequently insufficient infrastructure to support such development. As a result of the restricted availability of land, urbanization frequently necessitates the acquisition of agricultural property by the state in order to encourage development. In this study, we compare land acquisition and compensation policies with post-acquisition livelihoods in Vietnam across urban strata. The study sites are urban regions of Hanoi, Danang, and Vinh. We collected qualitative and quantitative data via 370 questionnaires and 30 interviews. Our results indicate that policy implementation was lower in larger cities, but the post-acquisition employment of affected households followed the opposite trend. In all three locations, most households used compensation money to repay debt, repair or purchase assets such as homes and personal modes of transportation, and invest in future generations. After acquisition, Danang experienced a decline in their quality of life, as measured by their savings and their level of perceived comfort, whereas the other two cities saw an increase. Only Hanoi reported a higher level of post-acquisition life satisfaction. Post-acquisition livelihood is influenced in some way by each of the five variables that make up the sustainable livelihood model: natural, human, physical, social, and financial capital.

Keywords

• resilience
• industrialization
• peri-urban
• sustainable development
• Vietnam