Livelihood Access of Poor and Near-Poor Ethnic Minority Households: A Case Study in the Northwest Mountainous Region of Nghe An Province

Abstract

This article examines livelihood accessibility among poor and near-poor ethnic minority households in the Northwest mountainous region of Nghe An Province. This region is characterized by complex terrain, limited infrastructure, and a high concentration of Thai, Kho Mu, and Hmong populations. The study applies the DFID Sustainable Livelihood Framework, drawing on household survey data and employing comparative analysis across economic status groups to identify differences in livelihood assets and strategies. The findings indicate that poverty significantly constrains access to natural, human, physical, and financial capital among households. These constraints are reflected in small-scale agricultural landholdings, limited educational attainment and vocational training, inadequate productive assets, and low savings capacity. In contrast, disparities in social capital are less statistically significant, largely due to the cohesive nature of upland communities and strong kinship networks. Regarding livelihood strategies, these households predominantly rely on agriculture and short-term wage labor as adaptive responses, whereas non-poor households tend to diversify into non-farm activities with clearer market-oriented strategies. Therefore, integrated policy interventions are required, prioritizing the enhancement of human capital and access to land and credit, while promoting livelihood diversification in alignment with market conditions and local specificities.