In Vietnam as elsewhere, protection of natural spaces is often favoured by total, inclusive involvement of local populations, who depend on natural resources and their conservation. In order to achieve objective 15 of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and promote greater social justice and means of action for the most vulnerable, GRET is conducting a project for inclusive protection and management of the Pu Luong nature reserve, favouring protection of the common good made up by this natural space, while improving living conditions for women from ethnic minorities.
Despite positives changes in legislation in recent years, Vietnamese women, in particular women from ethnic minorities, are still experiencing discriminatory behaviour and many difficulties in their daily lives: poverty, limited access to higher education and employment possibilities in particular. Some of these women live in or on the outskirts of nature reserves such as the Pu Luong nature reserve (17,662 ha) in Thanh Hoa province, in north-central Vietnam. This nature reserve is home to a wealth of biodiversity in substantial forests that are currently being ecologically restored, and it protects the drainage of the Ma river.
The transition from access to natural spaces previously managed by communities to strict control by the government increases the vulnerability and marginalisation of the poorest. Local communities own little or no agricultural land and live mainly off livestock farming and forest products that account for 60 to 80 % of their income. Women from minorities are particularly affected, because men benefit from professional opportunities outside of the agricultural sector, locally or in other regions. Women, who are traditionally responsible for households’ livelihoods, are often limited to working in the home. Because of cultural norms and gender bias, they have less access to and control over natural resources. In Vietnam, approximately 38 % of women and 62 % of men possess land use certificates; women are therefore rarely fully included in decision-making on management of resources.
This is the context in which the Quan Hoa Rural development cooperative (RDC) and GRET are launching the Pu Luong project, supported by the Audemars Piguet Foundation and the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation. The objective is to improve living conditions and economic empowerment for women from the Thai and Muong ethnic minorities, and to ensure inclusive, sustainable management of forests in the protected spaces and buffer zones of the Pu Luong nature reserve. For Susan Simmons Lagreau, general secretary of the Audemars Piguet Foundation, this project “is perfectly aligned with our philosophy aimed at favouring virtuous circles between humans and nature. It combines the safeguarding of ecosystems with the implementation of value chains enabling inhabitants, and women in particular, to live sustainable in, with and off their environment”.
In order to promote tourism-related community-based activities and fair sharing of benefits, while at the same time conserving forests, the project plans to:
In all, 6,770 women from the Thai and Muong minorities (51 % of the population) living in the 31 villages in the reserve and the surrounding buffer zones will be supported. 70 people representing local authorities and the nature reserve management authorities will also be involved, and the awareness of 20,000 people coming to visit the reserve will be raised.
The project led by GRET in Vietnam has achieved notable results in forest protection and the economic empowerment of women from ethnic minorities. It has also improved the communities’ ability to manage the natural resources of the Pu Luong reserve and strengthened the social role of women within the villages.
One of the main achievements is the development of a pilot benefit-sharing model related to forest management, which actively involves local communities and women (with an average participation of 57%).
The project has also promoted the empowerment of women by creating seven women’s cooperative groups, totaling 237 members, which have become spaces for collective action and skill-building. These groups have facilitated the continuous improvement of service quality (such as homestays, motorbike taxis, and agricultural products like rice and ducks) and resource sharing across various activities, including artistic performances and motorbike taxi services. Collaboration among these groups has strengthened networks between villages, particularly in tourism and agriculture.
237 women who are members of the seven cooperative groups created and supported
77 NRMB officials (the reserve management council) and local department staff trained in gender equality, responsible tourism, and participatory approaches
Approximately 1,020 members of the Thai ethnic minority (51% of whom are women) from several villages that participated in project activities
About 2,860 people from the Thai and Muong ethnic minorities across five communes.
Indirectly, the project has reached:
Approximately 6,678 women from 31 villages located in the core and buffer zones of the reserve
Nearly 20,000 tourists visiting the villages of Am Hieu, Bang, and Kho Muong each year.
Overall, the project has contributed to a 56% reduction in cases of encroachment on forests since its inception, demonstrating its positive impact on conservation and the livelihoods of local populations.
Support for Women in the Motorcycle Service of Kho Muong Village
Before the project, the motorcycle service in Kho Muong village was disorganized, leading to frequent conflicts over customers, price negotiations, and occasional exploitation. This negatively impacted tourist satisfaction and created tensions within the community. As a result, very few women participated in the service, and those who did struggled to attract customers due to fears of conflict.
In early 2022, the project helped establish an all-women motorcycle group in Kho Muong, consisting of 22 members. The women’s group then expanded to include 24 men, with a woman as the leader and the village chief as the deputy leader.
Initially, the group faced challenges. GRET staff intervened, providing direct support in management and operations, establishing a pricing structure, creating a group fund, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and defining rules for violations. They also set up a schedule, organized regular meetings, and provided additional support such as uniforms, name tags, a waiting area, a public price list, and training on communication and local tourism knowledge.
Gradually, the group became well-organized, service quality improved, and incomes—especially those of women—increased significantly. Some even expanded their services to other tourist sites, both within and outside Bá Thước, and began working as tour guides. Today, almost every family in Kho Muong has someone in the motorcycle group, which has grown to 96 members, including 30 women.
The Story of HA THI DU in Co Lung Village
Ms. Du has two sons. Her husband is an ordinary farmer, and currently, about 30% of the family’s income comes from raising ducks. Before the Pu Luong project, Ms. Du and the residents of Co Lung raised Co Lung ducks using traditional methods, with a mortality rate of 30%. Sales to local traders often took more than a month, increasing feeding costs and making duck farming unprofitable, which could lead to losses.
Thanks to the project, Ms. Du has improved her husbandry techniques, reducing the mortality rate of the ducks to just 3-5%, and selling ducks has become much easier and more proactive. She now knows how to size her duck flock according to her budget, reducing investment pressure and the risk of overproduction. Her clientele is diverse, including wholesalers, local traders, retailers, restaurants, and accommodation establishments in Pu Luong, as well as tourists.
The changes in Ms. Du’s farming and sales practices have inspired her family to consider diversifying into other livestock. She hopes to receive ongoing support from the Pu Luong project to embark on these new initiatives. Ms. Du’s success has had a significant impact, not only in building trust within the community but also in helping to guide other group members toward production aligned with market demands and more effective supply management.
