IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OF ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE OF VIETNAM

I would like to thank lecturers in Department of Rural Development for valuable comment and suggestion to improve my thesis. My special thank due to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Mau Dung, Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Thi Duong Nga, Dr. Dinh Pham Hien, Dr. Hoang Thi Sen, Assoc.Prof.Dr Mai Thanh Cuc, Dr. Quyen Dinh Ha who commented during my faculty defense presentation. Their valuable comments became foundation to improve the quality of my thesis. Also, I am grateful to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Bich Thuy who is in charge of International affairs of VNUA for the kind guidance from thebeginning of my academic year

VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE KIM SUN HO IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OF ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE OF VIETNAM DOCTORAL THESIS AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PRESS - 2018 VIETNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE KIM SUN HO IMPROVING LIVELIHOOD OF ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE OF VIETNAM Major: Development Economics Code: 31 01 05 Academic supervisor: Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Minh Hien AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PRESS - 2018 THESIS DECLARATION I commit that the work presented in this thesis is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, original, except as acknowledged in the text, and that the material has not been submitted, either in whole or in part, for another degree at this or any other university I acknowledge that I have read and understood the University’s rules, requirements, procedures and policy relating to my higher degree research award and to my thesis I certify that I have complied within the rules, requirements, procedures and policy of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture Hanoi, 26 August 2018 Author KIM SUN HO i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My doctoral work would not have been possible if it was not Vietnam for I have experienced several failures pursuing my academics in other universities due to my long duty of overseas consultancy works When I first visited in Hanoi and Nha Trang city in 2004, I was deeply impressed by Vietnamese having similar culture to Korea and their warm-heart It was a true happiness for me to study in such a prestigious school in Southeast Asia as Vietnam National University of Agriculture and I am grateful for allowing me to study course works in English from the most prominent professors I cannot forget the dedicated teachings by Prof Do Kim Chung, Assoc Prof Dr Mai Thanh Cuc, Assoc Prof Dr Pham Van Hung, and also my academic advisor, Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Thi Minh Hien Classes mostly happened in weekends with insightful teachings and their exceptional academic knowledge I would like to thank lecturers in Department of Rural Development for valuable comment and suggestion to improve my thesis My special thank due to Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Mau Dung, Assoc.Prof.Dr Nguyen Thi Duong Nga, Dr Dinh Pham Hien, Dr Hoang Thi Sen, Assoc.Prof.Dr Mai Thanh Cuc, Dr Quyen Dinh Ha who commented during my faculty defense presentation Their valuable comments became foundation to improve the quality of my thesis Also, I am grateful to Assoc Prof Dr Nguyen Bich Thuy who is in charge of International affairs of VNUA for the kind guidance from the beginning of my academic year I thank Mr Nguyen Tho Quang Anh, a international assistant of Faculty who used to support my complicated administrative works during my engagement in academics for three years Lao Cai province has become my second home town thanks to KOICA’s Lao Cai Happiness Program during 2015 to 2018 What makes me more grateful is that my academic works happened at the same time Livelihood improvement of ethnic minorities from Lao Cai province is the main concept of this thesis Through the program and academic works, I had priceless opportunity to learn about ethnic minority’s unique wisdom and their life values They are the true owners of my academic works I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Dang Xuan Phong, Chairman of LAO CAI Provincial People’s Committee, Mr Nguyen Huu The, my elder brother, Vice Chairman of LAO CAI Provincial People’s Committee, and Mr Nguyen Thanh Duong, Vice Chairman of LAO CAI Provincial People’s Committee My KOICA program has turned out to be successful and LAO CAI PPC endowed honorable medal for its outstanding achievements All the program participants from Lao ii Cai province, officers, ethnic minorities from Bac Ha, Muong Khuong, Xima Cai and Sapa Districts have made it possible I would like to thank once again to all professors and officers of VNUA and officers, ethnic minorities of program villages in Lao Cai who shared joys and difficulties together I am glad that I could complete KOICA happiness program successfully and also achieve my life’s academic dream I hope that this thesis can contribute and connect Korea and my school and furtherly Vietnam forever regarding academic exchange activities and various rural development programs for ethnic minorities with Korean friends In addition, I really feel sorry that I could not mention specific professors’ and officers’ name from my university who used to encourage me and gave their insightful ideas I have to confess that without their warm hearted encouragements, comments and kind guidance I doubt that how I could complete my thesis in the right time My family, my beloved wife Ms Lee Weh Seon who is the biggest supporter, my lovely first daughter Ms Kim Hye Bin who did English proof reading and made correction with her outstanding English skills and my cute second daughter, Ms Kim Hye In who always encouraged me and my beautiful mother, Ms Kim Kyong Sook who always devotes herself to prayer for me They are my real supporters and I would like to say that their prayer made my real life hopeful Autumn 2018 Author KIM SUN HO iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Thesis declaration i Acknowledgements ii Table of contents iv List of acronyms vii List of tables viii List of figures ix List of boxes ix Thesis abstract xi Trích yếu luận án xiii PART INTRODUCTION .1 1.1 Problem statement .1 1.2 Objectives of the study 1.2.1 General objective 1.2.2 Specific objectives 1.3 Objects and scope of the study 1.3.1 Object of study 1.3.2 Scope of the study .3 1.4 Contribution of the study PART THEORY AND PRACTICAL REVIEW ON LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT FOR ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS 2.1 Basic theory .4 2.1.1 Concepts on ethnic minority households 2.1.2 Features of ethnic minorities of Vietnam 2.1.3 Theories and Framework of Livelihoods 2.1.4 Content of assessment of livelihood status of ethnic minority household 15 2.1.5 Factors affecting livelihood of ethnic minority households 19 2.1.6 Main characteristics of livelihood of ethnic minority households 23 2.2 Experiences in improving of livelihoods of ethnic minority households .26 2.2.1 International experiences 26 2.2.2 Vietnam’s experiences 31 2.2.3 Research on livelihood improvement of ethnic minority households .37 2.2.4 Lesson learnt and knowledge gap 40 iv SUMMARY OF PART .41 PART METHODOLOGY .42 3.1 Overview of Lao Cai province 42 3.1.1 Natural characteristics .42 3.1.2 Socio-economic characteristics .44 3.1.3 Advantages and disadvantages in socio-economic development of Lao Cai Province 52 3.2 Approaches and analysis framework 55 3.2.1 Approaches 55 3.2.2 Analysis framework 56 3.3 Data collection method 58 3.3.1 Study site and sample 58 3.3.2 Collection of secondary data 58 3.3.3 Collection of primary data 59 3.4 Analysis method 60 3.4.1 Descriptive and comparative Statistics 60 3.4.2 SWOT Analysis 61 3.4.3 Case study .61 3.4.4 Modeling method 61 3.5 Research indicators 62 3.5.1 Indicator of livelihood assets 62 3.5.2 Indicators for livelihood status of ethnic minority households .64 3.5.3 Indicators for impact factors 64 SUMMARY OF PART .64 PART CURRENT SITUATION AND FACTORS AFFECTING LIVELIHOOD OF ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE 66 4.1 Current situation on livelihood of ethnic minority households in Lao Cai .66 4.1.1 Status of livelihood capital of ethnic minority households .66 4.1.2 Livelihood strategies and activities 88 4.1.3 Livelihood outcomes .95 4.2 Factors affecting livelihoods of ethnic minority household in Lao Cai province 100 4.2.1 Government policies .100 v 4.2.2 Shocks and risk .102 4.2.3 Aid of Development programs 106 4.2.4 Typical characters of ethnic minority groups .113 4.2.5 Education and training 114 SUMMARY OF PART 118 PART ORIENTATION AND MAIN SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOODS OF ETHNIC MINORITY HOUSEHOLDS IN LAO CAI PROVINCE 120 5.1 Bases for proposing orientation and solutions 120 5.2 Orientations of livelihood improvement for ethnic minorities in Lao Cai province 124 5.3 Main solutions to livelihood improvement for ethnic minorities in Lao Cai province 125 5.3.1 Diversifying source of livelihoods from agricultural development and improving household income through off-farm activities 125 5.3.2 Enhancing people's ability access to the market 128 5.3.3 Improving household’s ability to access to formal financial resources 130 5.3.4 Improving human resources, raising awareness of people and preserving traditional culture 132 5.3.5 Upgrading infrastructure system 135 5.3.6 Strengthening the effectiveness of extension services 139 5.3.7 Reducing the negative impact of natural disasters 139 5.3.8 Improving social relationship 139 SUMMARY OF PART 141 PART CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 142 6.1 Conclusion 142 6.2 Recommendations 143 6.2.1 Recommendations towards state agencies 143 6.2.2 Recommendations towards local authorities 144 6.2.3 Recommendations towards ethnic minorities .144 LIST OF AUTHOR’S PUBLICATION .146 REFERENCES 147 APPENDIX 154 vi LIST OF ACRONYMS Acronyms Definition CEMA Committee of Ethnic Minority Affairs DOH Department of Health EM Ethnic Minorities EMWG Ethnic Minorities Working Group LCHP Lao Cai Happiness Program MOLISA Ministry of Labor Invalids and Social Affairs NGO None Government Organization NRD New Rural Development NTP Nation Targeted Program PPFP Pro Poor Forestry Project SLA Sustainable Livelihoods Approach SU Saemaul Undong (New Village Movement) VDC Village Development Committee vii LIST OF TABLES Table No Content Page 3.1 Land resource in Lao Cai Province 44 3.2 Shifting economic structure of Lao Cai Province 46 3.3 GDP growth index and structure of GDP by economic sectors 47 3.4 Survey samples and methods 60 3.5 Definition of variables under Logit model 62 4.1 Size of households and labor size by ethnic groups 67 4.2 Education level of Household Heads by District 68 4.3 Education levels of household heads by Ethnic minority groups 69 4.4 Distribution of land holding of ethnic minority households by district in Lao Cai 2016 73 4.5 Distribution of land holding of ethnic minority households in Lao Cai 2016 by ethnic group 74 4.6 Water supply to ethnic minority households in Lao Cai 2017 76 4.7 Assessment by ethnic minorities on infrastructure of Lao Cai in 2017 84 4.8 Ownership of material assets of ethnic minority households for livelihood in 2017 85 4.9 Average household savings by ethnic minority 86 4.10 Access to loans by ethnic minority households in 2017 87 4.11 Main livelihood activities of ethnic minority households by district 88 4.12 Main livelihood activities of ethnic minority households by ethnicity 90 4.13 Households' assessment of difficulties in livelihood development by district 92 4.14 Household Income in 2016 by districts 96 4.15 Household Income in 2016 by ethnic groups 97 4.16 Livelihood strategies of households by districts 98 4.17 Livelihood strategies of households by ethnic groups 99 4.18 Risks facing by ethnic minority households in the last years 104 4.19 Results of Logit model 117 5.1 SWOT Analysis of livelihood improvement for ethnic minorities in Lao Cai Province 123 viii Appendix 2: HOUSEHOLD SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE No.: Full name of household head: Address: A I ASSETS LIVELIHOODS INFORMATION ABOUT HUMAN CAPITAL 1.1 Age: 1.2 Gender: 1.3 Ethnic group: ID Number: Issued on: Issued at: 1.4 Educational level of the household head  Non-school  Primary education  Secondary Education  Secondary Education (high school)  Further education with specialized diploma 1.5 Types of households  Poor household  Non-poor household  Pure farming household  Integrated farming household (agriculture and industry)  Household doing business - service- hired job- working at government agencies 1.6 Total members of the household: people; female: .people 1.7 Number of labors in the household: people No Name Gender Age Educational/ professional level Remark 1.8 Number of labors whose job is not matched with their specialization: .people 1.9 Number of labors specialized in agriculture: people 156 1.9 Number of unemployed people: people (they are not really unemployed but employed in few months in a year; then they are asked to tell the average number of months in employment per year) 1.10 Reason of unemployment:  No productive land  No qualification  Lack of funds  Do not know what to  Others: 1.9 Does your household have any employment plan?  Yes  No 1.10 Does anyone in your household work for hired job?  Yes  No 11 If some members in your household are hired, the number of male hired worker is and the number of female hired workers is 12 What is the main occupation of hired workers?  Agriculture (seasonal)  Construction & industry  Other 1.13 Where are they hired? Oversea, outside the province, within the province, The average distance from the hired location to your house is km Indicators related to food security and vulnerability Index Score Number of meals in the past days Not fixed (erratic) 2 meals per day 3 meals per day Did your household have enough food last month? No Yes Has your household had enough food in the last 12 months? No Yes Number of meals having dairy products (milk, cheese ) No Not fixed Once or twice per week At least times per week Number of meals having vegetables products from vegetables No Not fixed Once or twiceper week At least times per week 157 Number of meals having meat products No Not fixed Once or twice per week At least times per week Indicators related to housing Is your house roof made of reliable materials (reliable materials include tile, wood, concrete, fibro cement)? No Yes Is your house wall made of reliable materials? No Yes Is your house floor made of reliable materials (cement, soil or tiled)? No Yes Does your household use electricity? No Yes Does your household have to buy ingredients for cooking? Yes We have to buy No We can take it by ourselves What is the main material used for cooking in your household? Wood Electricity Gas Does your house have any toilets? No Yes Number of rooms in your house One Two Three or more Source of water Does the source of water regularly supply water for your household? No Yes Total times of catching water 1.Once in every days or more Once in every days Once in every days Everyday 158 Spring Wells Tap water II INFORMATION ABOUT NATURAL CAPITAL 2.1 Total land area of your household: (m2) Included: Area of residential land and garden land: Area of agricultural production land: Area of non-agricultural land: Name Name of plots Area (m2) Type of field (hilly/ medium/ valley) Irrigation method Current plantation structure Land use direction in the future 2.2 What is your opinion about land use needs?  Increasing area  Maintaining the same area  Reducing area 2.3 Which difficulties in land use have you encountered?  Land degradation, difficult rehabilitation  Sunken land and offshore land which is hard to care for and harvest  Small area and scattered land which it is difficult to apply advanced techniques  Lack of planning 2.4 Which solutions you want to carry out?  Changing the cultivation methods on degraded soils  Utilizing machinery to renovate sunken lands  Making planning of concentrated production for time and cost saving  Giving guidelines on land planning by local authorities III INFORMATION ABOUT FINANCIAL CAPITAL 3.1 Total average monthly income of the household: million VND/ month Including: (1) Income from agriculture production: (2) Income from professions: (3) Income from business/ services: (4) Income from hired jobs: 159 (5) Salary from government agencies: 3.2 Savings of the household: million VND / month 3.3 Where does your family borrow capital for investment in production and business? Sources Loan (VND mil) Interest rate (%) Lending period Adequate/ Inadequate Agri-bank Bank of Social Policies Friends Relatives 3.4 What is the purpose of loans?  To expand production scale  To send children to school  To develop trades  Others 3.5 Which kinds of support does your household receive? Please clarify the source of support  Support for inputs: seeds, fertilizers, pesticides  Cash (low-interest-rate loans)  Technique: free vocational training Others 3.6 How can your household access local policies on production support?  Difficult  Easy - Does your household attend any technical training course? Yes [] No [] If yes, how many times per year? - If you have difficulty in the production process, who you often ask for help? Commune officials [ ] Other farmers [] Village leaders [] District officials [] Agriculture extension officers [ ] - Do agriculture extension officers regularly visit your household for technical support? If yes, how many times per year? 160 - Where does your household sell products and why? (Note: more than one answer is acceptable) o In the market o Selling for traders rightly at home o Taking products to the purchasing o Higher price o Collecting money immediately o Easy to sell products agents o Others o Others 3.7.How can your household manage your revenue and expenditure of production? Unit: million VND / year No Activity revenue Agriculture - Fishery Production - Cultivation - Animal Husbandry - Fishery Trades Business - Service Expense Others Total IV INFORMATION ABOUT MATERIAL CAPITAL 4.2 Type of households?  Poor, near poor  Normal  Rich 4.3 Which assets does your household have for the daily life? No Name of Assets Television Refrigerator Motorcycle Bicycle Air conditioner Quantity 161 Status (new/ old) Computer Washing machine Others 4.4 Which assets does your household have for production and business? No Name of Assets Plowing machine Water pump Attrition mill machine Tofu making machine Sewing machine Sawmill Drawing machine Quantity 4.5 How can you think about infrastructure in your area? (Mark X in the box) Criteria Good Fair Average Poor Unchanged Electricity works Roads Social welfare works Irrigation works Rural markets Communication systems Clean water systems 4.6 How can you think about the quality of education in your area (from preschool education to secondary education)?  Very good  Good  Poor 4.7 Where you often sell your products such as agriculture products and handicrafts?  Selling to traders rightly at home; At the market The distance from your house to the market is km; 162  Others 4.8 Means used to sell products  Buffalo, cow and horse riding vehicles  Motorcycles  Bicycles  Cars V INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL CAPITAL 5.1 Does anyone in your household participate in any mass organizations?  Yes  No If yes, please clarify specific organizations?  Commune authorities  Village officers  Veterans  Farmers’ Union  Cooperatives  Others Name of the organization: 5.2 How often can they join in the organization?  Regularly  Average  Seldom 5.3 Since participating in the organization, does your household receive support from the organization?  Yes  No Please clarify the support? (if any) 5.4 How is the support? A Decrease B Increase C Constant B LIVELIHOOD STATUS AND STRATEGY Current status Household income and income structure in 2015 Source of income Main source of income Area (in 360m2) Yield Output Unit price Amount (kg / (Kg) (VND 1,000) 360m2) Cultivation - Rice + crop + crop - Cassava - Maize 163 - Peanut - Sweet potato - Vegetables - Fruits - Industrial trees Animal husbandry Head VND 1,000 VND 1,000 VND 1,000 VND 1,000 - Cow - Buffalo - Pigs - Poultry - Goat Forestry production: - Natural forests (do you earn money from natural forests?) - Protective forest - Plantation forest - By-products from the forest Revenues from fisheries Area (in 360m2) Yield Output Unit price Amount (kg / (Kg) (VND 1,000) (VND 360m2) 1,000) - Growing Revenues from non-agricultural activities: VND 1,000 164 VND 1,000 - Services - Craft - Hired jobs Other revenues - Salaries, pensions - Sale of properties - Interest of savings and loans - Sponsor Total revenue a) What are your household’s difficulties in current livelihood?  Erratic weather  Poor quality and low productivity seeds  Fiercely competitive market  Diseases  Difficult product consumption  Unstable livelihood capitals  Lack of specialized knowledge  Psychology  Limited access to policy mechanisms  High input cost, low output cost b) Which solutions does your household need?  New varieties are put in experiments  Local authorities encourage enterprises to buy products (agriculture products and others)  Vocational training courses and seminars on technology transfer are organized  Policies are introduced at meetings of local people  Subsidies on input cost and output price are provided  Trial are done c) Does your household want to develop and change your livelihoods?  Yes  No Livelihood strategies In future, which livelihood strategies does your household have?  Reducing the cultivation area and increasing the scale of animal husbandry  Changing the structure of plants (changing to high-value plants or safe production) 165  Expanding production scale (business, trades )  Looking for new markets  Combining different types of production (at least types)  Being hired or workers in industrial zones  Taking houses in rent  Others: Where your often visit when you are sick? Distance from your house to clinics or medical care place: km How can you go there? (ambulance/ buffalo riding vehicle/ motorcycle) C LIVELIHOOD OUTCOME In your opinion, how can you think about your household utilization of livelihood capitals? Appropriate  Inappropriate Is your household provided with vocational training or technical transfer?  Yes  No Please clarify specially: It is heard that the industrial zone will be located in your commune If your household is under the land planning for the zone, what will you do?  Selling land  Not selling land If you sell your land, how can you use the money you earn from selling land?  To develop household economy  To invest in other production types  To send money to banks To build house and buy furniture What you think about the impact of livelihood development and change? (Mark X in the box) Impact Assessment A Positive Reducing risk Increasing salary Improving the lives Ensuring children education 166 Improving household economy Improving food security Creating jobs for others B Negative Not paying much attention to children Little communicating with others Arising bad habits Leading to environmental pollution Bringing about some other social evils Do you have any suggestions for central government and local authorities? Thank you so much for your answer! 167 Appendix List of main supporting policy for ethnic minority households Credit policies: Decree No 78/2002 / ND-CP dated October 4, 2002 of the Government on credit for the poor and other policy beneficiaries Loan size for each loan is suitable to each type of beneficiaries entitled to preferential credit loans decided by the Board of Directors of Social Policy Bank and announced on the basis of the demand for loans and the potential source of capital mobilized in each period; Decision No 31/2007 / QD-TTg dated March 5, 2007 of the Prime Minister on credit for production and business households in difficult areas The maximum loan size is VND 30 million without a loan guarantee On some cases, the maximum loan can be VND 100 million The loan of over 30 million VND must be guaranteed by property formed from loan capital in accordance with the law on security transactions Decision No 92/2009 / QD-TTg dated September 8, 2009 of the prime minister on credit for traders in difficult areas Loan capital level: for individual traders who cannot open accounting books, pay presumptive tax according to tax agencies' regulations, the maximum amount is VND 30 million; for individual traders who open accounting books, pay taxes of up to VND 100 million as prescribed by law; for traders as economic organizations, the maximum amount is VND 500 million Decree No 75/2015 / ND-CP dated 09/9/2015 of the Government on mechanisms and policies on forest protection and development, along with policies of sustainable poverty reduction and support ethnic minorities in years 2015-2020 With forestation for production of non-timber forest products, households can be granted a loan of maximum VND 15 million without a loan guarantee by the bank The loan period shall be from the time of planting to the date of principal exploitation according to the business cycle of the crop, but it must not exceed 20 years Loans for livestock farming have no collateral for breeding buffaloes, cows and other livestock with maximum loan limit of VND 50 million, maximum loan term of 10 years, interest rate of 1.2%/ year Decision No 2085 / QĐ-TTg dated 31/10/2016 of the Government on specific policies to support the socio-economic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas during 2017-2020: Under the Government's Decree No 78/2002/ND-CP of October 4, 2002 on credit for the poor and other policy beneficiaries, the maximum loan level is applicable to poor households in each period, and the maximum loan term is 10 years The lending rate is equal to 50% of the interest rate applicable to poor households in each period (6.6% / year, 0.55% / month) Vocational training policies Decision No 1956 / QD-TTg dated 27 November 2009 of the government approving the project "Vocational training for rural laborers up to 2020" Decision No 971 / QĐ-TTg dated 01, July 2015 of the prime Minister amending and supplementing Decision No 1956 / QD-TTg, the target is rural labor in working age, for poor households, ethnic minorities Level of support: Basic level and vocational training is less than months with the maximum level of million VND / person / course; food allowance at the rate of 15,000 VND per day per class; The maximum travel allowance is 168 200,000 VND / person and course for vocational training far from the residence of 15 km After apprenticeship, they may borrow capital from the national employment fund under the national target program on employment in order to create jobs for themselves Poverty reduction policies Decision No 71/2009 / QD-TTg dated 29, April 2009 of the prime minister approving scheme on supporting poor districts to boost labor export to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction in the 2009-2020 period Long-term residents in 61 poor districts are targeted by organizations and enterprises operating under the law of Vietnamese workers For export laborers, they work overseas under contracts and vocational training establishments The support is as follows: 100% support of tuition fees, training allowance and necessary knowledge for laborers of poor house households For ethnic minorities, 50% of tuition fees, foreign language, fostering necessary knowledge for other subjects in 61 poor districts will be supported Only poor laborers and ethnic minority people will receive extra allowances for living expenses at the rate of VND 40,000 person a day, accommodation at VND 200,000 person a month, and personal expenses, such as clothes, blankets, uniforms, footwear with the level of VND 400,000 per person with the cost of completing the procedures before commuting to work in the country In addition, levels prescribed for passport fees, visa fees, medical examination fees and judicial record fees will be included as well Decree No 75/2015/ND-CP dated on 09, September 2015 of the government on mechanisms and policies on forest protection and development, they coupled with policies to reduce poverty quickly and sustainably and support ethnic minorities in the period 2015-2020 with the content of forest protection contract; forest protection and regeneration with additional forest; To plant production forests and develop non-timber forest products; planting protective forests; Rice allowance instead of upland fields Decision No 1722/QĐ-TTg dated 02/9/2016 of the prime minister approving the national target program on poverty alleviation in the 2016-2020 period with five component projects: Program 30a; Program 135; support for production development, livelihood diversification and replication of poverty reduction models in communes outside Program 30a and Program 135; Capacity building and monitoring and evaluation of program implementation Decision No 2085/QĐ-TTg dated 31/10/2016 on specific policies to support the socioeconomic development of ethnic minority and mountainous areas in the 2017-2020 period, including support for residential land, production land, water; Arrange to stabilize the population; Direct support for nomadic farming households Livestock support policies Decision No 50/2014/QD-TTg dated 04/9/2014 of the prime minister on supporting the efficiency improvement of animal husbandry in the period of 2015-2020 Start-up policies Resolution No 35/NQ-CP dated 16/5/2016 of the government on support and development of enterprises up to 2020 with the objective of building a competitive and 169 sustainable Vietnamese enterprise by 2020, with at least million enterprises, which there are large-scale enterprises with strong resources, and 30-35% of enterprises having innovative activities every year Decision No 844/QD-TTg dated May 18, 2016 approving the project "Supporting ecoinnovations for national innovation up to 2025" with the objective of creating a favorable environment for promotion and support to develop a rapidly growing business model based on the exploitation of intellectual property, technology and new business models By 2025, support for the development of 2,000 innovation projects, support for the development of 600 innovative enterprises, and 100 enterprises participating in the project to call for investment capital from venture capital investors Currently, trading and merging with total values are estimated at VND 2000 billion Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Development Assistance Program (SMED) is intended to support basic capital borrowing with a maximum loan of 70% of the total eligible investment capital of the project, business; maximum of VND 10 billion at fixed interest rate of 7% per annum during the loan period The youth program for the period of 2016 - 2021 aims to create a favorable environment to promote and support start-up and innovation 170 ... affecting livelihood of ethnic minority households 19 2.1.6 Main characteristics of livelihood of ethnic minority households 23 2.2 Experiences in improving of livelihoods of ethnic minority. .. Distribution of land holding of ethnic minority households by district in Lao Cai 2016 73 4.5 Distribution of land holding of ethnic minority households in Lao Cai 2016 by ethnic group... outcomes of ethnic minority households in Lao Cai province; (4) To provide solutions and propose recommendations to improve livelihoods of ethnic minority households in Lao Cai province 1.3 OBJECTS