Environmental Aspects of Sustainable Development in Central Vietnam: Awareness and Preferences of Key Stakeholders

Abstract

After more than 20 years of economic reform, Vietnam has recorded a number of economic achievements, but the country is also confronted with many serious environmental issues. To mobilize support for a more sustainable approach to development, the authorities have placed increasing emphasis on enhancing awareness of environmental issues among the various key groups in society. Yet, to date, there are very few systematic studies of the awareness, concerns and preferences in Vietnam regarding these issues. This study seeks to help fill that gap. It focuses on three provinces representing almost 18.7% (of the population) of the Central Coast region, the second most populous and the largest of Vietnam’s 6 socio-economic regions. Three main methods of analysis are employed, including (a) analytical review and synthesis, (b) interviews and questionnaire surveys, and (c) parametric and non-parametric statistical and econometric analysis. Primary data are collected in two phases, Phase I with 576 respondents from all three study provinces, and Phase II with 366 respondents mainly from areas surrounding the stone art production village of Non Nuoc within the Da Nang municipality. A number of key findings have been obtained. First, despite their relatively low income level, Central Vietnamese respondents are more than moderately concerned about environmental issues. Interestingly, on average respondents are no less concerned about global climate change than about air pollution in their own province.