Current Livelihoods of Thai Ethnic Group Resettled due to the Construction of Ban Ve Hydropower Plant in Nghe An Province

Abstract

The construction of Ban Ve hydropower plant in Nghe An province has caused nearly 3.000 households with about 14.000 people to be relocated and resettled, the majority of which are Thai ethnic people (accounting for more than 80%) in the form of concentrated resettlement (accounting for more than 90%) within Tuong Duong district (accounting for nearly 20%) and outside Thanh Chuong district (accounting for more than 80%). This form of resettlement helps people benefit from the project’s synchronous infrastructure system (including electricity, roads, schools, stations, houses and cultural houses). However, they encounter limitations such as having to adapt to new land funds and climate, new terrain and new production models. Natural conditions, climate, soil, socio-economic conditions of Tuong Duong and Thanh Chuong districts also have fundamental differences, which has altered the livelihoods of Thai people who resettled here. The most typical livelihood activities of resettled people in the two districts shall be clarified in the article.