Vietnam: voices of the poor: synthesis of participatory poverty assessments

This report compiles the findings from four participatory poverty assessments (PPAs) undertaken for the World Bank GOV poverty report in 1998-1999 in Ho Chi Min City by Save the Children (UK); in Ha Tinh Province by Action Aid Vietnam; in Tra Vinh Province by Oxfam (UK); and in Lao Cai Province by the Vietnam Sweden Mountain Rural Development Programme (MRDP). The assessments were carried to provide a qualitative picture and understanding of poverty in different parts of the country to complement quantitative data gathered through national Living Standards Measurement Survey. Research methods included mapping, socio-economic mapping, well-being ranking, problem scoring, pair-wise ranking, trend analysis, seasonal calendars, daily time tables, household timelines, cause and effect trees, institutional ranking/mapping and institutional strengths and weaknesses analysis. The report provides a brief description of the PPA methodology, ad site selection, and goes on to present the PPA findings in five sections, exploring well-being and ill-being; vulnerability, security and coping with hardship; poor households and institutions; gender relations; and problems and priorities of poor households. A list of information sources for the four PPAs is included at the back of the document. The full text document can be found on http://www.worldbank.org.vn/strategy/cprs/pdf/voice.pdf