Small-scale hydropower dams development: Pros and cons from impacts  on locals' livelihoods in Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia

Bui Duc Tinh; Dao Duy Minh

doi:10.31893/multiscience.2025535

Keywords:

livelihoods

locals' livelihoods

livelihood capital

Small-scale hydropower dams

Abstract

Whether to develop small-scale hydroelectric dams is an enduring and complex question with multifaceted implications. This study aims to provide scientific insights by evaluating the impacts of hydroelectric development on local livelihoods and related assets, contributing to the formulation of cohesive strategies for collaborative efforts in hydroelectric development and water resource management within the Mekong region countries. The research was conducted in three countries on the Indochina Peninsula, namely, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, with a sample size of 611 households, comprising 220 from Vietnam, 200 from Laos, and 241 from Cambodia. The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining elements of Sustainable Livelihood Analysis Framework (DFID, 2002) and impact evaluation of a policy/project intervention developed by authors. Through in-depth research, several key findings were identified: hydroelectric development resulted in the loss of forest, agricultural land, thus leading to impacts on livelihoods of households living in both upstream and downstream of rivers. The rapid development of small-scale hydropower dams has stole important livelihood practices of households, such as wet rice production, livestock raising and production forest. Affected households had adopted new livelilhood practices, such as work migration; self-services. Vietnamese households demonstrated higher adaptability to the challenges posed by small scale hydroelectric development compared to the other two countries. The livelihoods most impacted were predominantly linked to natural resource-based practices. However, the study also revealed limitations, such as lack of in-depth economic, social, and environmental quantifications, highlighting the need for more comprehensive and specific research in this field.
References
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Tinh, B. D., & Minh, D. D. (2025). Small-scale hydropower dams development: Pros and cons from impacts on locals’ livelihoods in Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia. Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 7(11), 2025535. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2025535

[1] Ansell, C., & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative governance in theory and practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543–571.

[2] Antwi, E. K., Boakye-Danquah, J., Owusu, A. B., Loh, S. K., Mensah, R., Boafo, Y. A., & Apronti, P. T. (2015). Community vulnerability assessment index for flood prone savannah agro-ecological zone: A case study of Wa West District, Ghana. Weather and Climate Extremes, 10, 56–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2015.10.008

[3] Asia Development Bank. (2009). Technical assistance report: The small and mini hydroelectric development project for Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Prepared by ADB.

[4] Bauer, T., de Jong, W., Ingram, V., Arts, B., & Pacheco, P. (2022). Thriving in turbulent times: Livelihood resilience and vulnerability assessment of Bolivian Indigenous forest households. Land Use Policy, 119, 106146. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.LANDUSEPOL.2022.106146

[5] Biswas, A. K. (2004). Integrated water resources management: A reassessment. Water International, 29(2), 248–256.

[6] Boyle, D., & Narin, S. (2018). Mekong leaders mostly mum on risks tied to intense damming. VOA. Retrieved April 10, 2018.

[7] Connick, S., & Innes, J. E. (2003). Outcomes of collaborative water policy making: Applying complexity thinking to evaluation. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 46(2), 177–197.

[8] Dao, D. M., Lebailly, P., Nguyen Dang, H., & Ho, T. M. H. (2019). The evolution of migration: The case of coastal sandy zone in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 9(4), 156–165. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijefi.8134

[9] Do, V. C. (2021). Environmental and social impacts of hydropower projects in Vietnam. Journal of Irrigation Science and Technology, 65.

[10] Duc Tinh, B., Huu Tuan, T., Phong, T., Dung The, B., & Thi Tam, B. (2010). Local vulnerability and adaptation to extreme climate events along the central coast of Vietnam. In R. Shaw, J. M. Pulhin, & J. Pereira (Eds.), Climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction: An Asian perspective (Community, Environment and Disaster Risk Management, Vol. 5, pp. 393–416). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-7262(2010)0000005025

[11] Emerson, K., Nabatchi, T., & Balogh, S. (2012). An integrative framework for collaborative governance. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 22(1), 1–29.

[12] Galaz, V. (2007). Water governance, resilience and global environmental change: A reassessment of integrated water resources management (IWRM). Water Science & Technology, 56(4).

[13] Giang, T. T., & Nhung, N. T. H. (2022). Impact of the Hue city water environment improvement project on ambient environment: a household’s opinions approach. Hue University Journal of Science: Economics and Development, 131(5A), 77–93.

[14] Gleick, P. H. (1998). The human right to water. Water Policy, 1(5), 487–503.

[15] Hackette, P. (2007). Promoting regional cooperation in the Mekong River Basin. Second Regional Workshop. MRC/ECO-Asia.

[16] Hahn, M. B., Riederer, A. M., & Foster, S. O. (2009). The Livelihood Vulnerability Index: A pragmatic approach to assessing risks from climate variability and change—A case study in Mozambique. Global Environmental Change, 19(1), 74–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GLOENVCHA.2008.11.002

[17] Hansen, C., Musa, M., Sasthav, C., & DeNeale, S. (2021). Hydropower development potential at non-powered dams: Data needs and research gaps. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 145, 111058.

[18] Hao, D. N. (2009). Evolution of livelihood strategy of the households in the coastal sandy zone of the North Central Region of Vietnam—Case study in Thua Thien Hue Province.

[19] Hao, N. D. (2012). Gender issues in the fishery communities of the Central Coastal Provinces of Vietnam. In Gender in Aquaculture and Fisheries: Moving the Agenda Forward (pp. 129–143).

[20] Heyman, P. (2011). Collaboration. Leadership Excellence, 28(5), 15.

[21] ICEM Australia. (2010). Strategic environmental assessment of hydropower on the Mekong mainstream. Victoria, Australia.

[22] Khanh, H. L. P., Corfield, J., Lane, P., Ba, N. X., Van, N. H., & Parsons, D. (2020). Intensive forage cultivation reduces labour input and increases cattle production income in smallholder mixed farming communities of South Central Coastal Vietnam. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2, 100067.

[23] Kien, N. D., & Dinh, N. C. (2024). Understanding the Safeguarding Role of Forest Resources and Its Determinants During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Forest and Society, 8(1), 100–122.

[24] Le, A. T., & Dao, T. V. N. (2016). Hydropower development in Vietnam: Challenges and solutions. Center for Conservation and Development of Water Resources, Science and Technology Publishing House.

[25] Lebel, L., Bastakoti, R. C., & Daniel, R. (Eds.). (2010). CPWF project report: Enhancing multi-scale Mekong water governance. Project Number PN 50. CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food.

[26] Navrud, S., Huu Tuan, T., & Duc Tinh, B. (2012). Estimating the welfare loss to households from natural disasters in developing countries: A contingent valuation study of flooding in Vietnam. Global Health Action, 5(1), 1760.

[27] Nguyen, C. D., Ubukata, F., Nguyen, Q. T., et al. (2021). Long-term improvement in precautions for flood risk mitigation: A case study in the low-lying area of Central Vietnam. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 12, 250–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-020-00326-2

[28] Nguyen, D. T., Sen, L. T. H., Hoang, H. G., Tran, T. N., Tran, N. A. T., & Mazancova, J. (2023). Insight into the multidimensional poverty of the mountainous ethnic minorities in Central Vietnam. Social Sciences, 12(6), 331. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060331

[29] Nguyen, H. H. (2010). Vietnam hydropower—Current situation and development plan.

[30] Nijhuis, M. (2017). Harnessing the Mekong or killing it? National Geographic. Retrieved September 9, 2017.

[31] Pahl-Wostl, C., & Ross, A. (2010). Finding general patterns in complex water governance regimes. Regional Environmental Change, 10(4), 261–262.

[32] Patrick, R. M., Viriyasakultorn, V., & Wolf, A. T. (2008). Promoting cooperation in the Mekong region through water conflict management, regional collaboration, and capacity building. GMSARN International Journal, 2, 175–184.

[33] Phong, T., et al. (2010). Adaptation behaviors of communities and households to extreme disasters induced by climate change in Central Coast of Vietnam: Towards a set of possible adaptation measures to bridge the gaps. Research Report No. 2010-RR9.

[34] Phuong, T. T., Tan, N. Q., Dinh, N. C., Van Chuong, H., Ha, H. D., & Hung, H. T. (2023). Livelihood vulnerability to climate change: Indexes and insights from two ethnic minority communities in Central Vietnam. Environmental Challenges, 10, 100666.

[35] Prime Minister. (2016). Decision No. 428-QD/TTg approving the adjustment of the national electricity development planning for the period 2011–2020 with a vision to 2030.

[36] Quandt, A. (2018). Measuring livelihood resilience: The Household Livelihood Resilience Approach (HLRA). World Development, 107, 253–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.02.024

[37] Resurrección, B. P., Biskupska, N., & Nguyen, H. (2018). Gender and water governance in Mekong region: Assessment and opportunities. IUCN Asia. Retrieved from https://www.iucn.org/sites/dev/files/content/documents/2018/final_gender_report_mekong_water_governance_17_july.pdf

[38] Rogers, P., & Hall, A. W. (2003). Effective water governance. Stockholm: Global Water Partnership.

[39] Rujivanarom, P. (2018). Mekong River dams 'will harm food security'. The Nation. Retrieved April 10, 2018.

[40] Scoones, I. (2009). Livelihoods perspectives and rural development. Journal of Peasant Studies, 36(1), 171–196. https://doi.org/10.1080/03066150902820503

[41] Thái, H. A. C. (2018). Livelihood pathways of indigenous people in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. Springer.

[42] Tinh, B. D., et al. (2011). Local vulnerability and adaptation to extreme climate events along the Central Coast of Vietnam. Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 393–421.

[43] Tinh, B. D., et al. (2012). Studying the method to adapt to poverty of poor household in Tam Giang lagoon Thua Thien Hue.

[44] Tun Oo, A., Van Huylenbroeck, G., & Speelman, S. (2017). Determining factors for the application of climate change adaptation strategies among farmers in Magwe District, dry zone region of Myanmar. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCCSM-09-2015-0134

[45] Van Tuyen, T., Uy, T. C., Le Phi Khanh, H., Phuong, L. T. H., Ha, H. D., Nga, L. T. T., & Dung, T. Q. (2023). Community-based tourism as social entrepreneurship promoting sustainable development in coastal communities: a study in Thua Thien Hue province, Central Vietnam. Maritime Studies, 22(1), 8.

Abstract

References

How to cite