Current Livelihoods of the Hmong and Kho Mu Ethnic Peoples in the Border Area of Nghe An Province

Abstract

The Vietnam - Laos border area in Nghe An province is home to many ethnic minorities. In Ky Son border district, where Nam Can international border gate is located, connecting Vietnam and Laos, the Hmong and Kho Mu ethnic groups have the largest population and are two of the 32 ethnic minorities who are still facing several difficulties (45.8% and 34.4% are of the poor, respectively). The paper explores the current livelihoods of these two ethnic groups and initially proposes some recommendations and solutions for these two ethnic groups as well as local residents therein to have a stable and growing abundant life, which thereby contributes to the cause of socio-economic development associated with ensuring national defense and security in the border area of Nghe An province.