Hue University Journal of Science: Economics and Development

MARKET POTENTIAL AND VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS OF WILD AND CULTIVATED GANODERMA LUCIDUM IN THE BUFFER ZONE OF KON KA KINH NATIONAL PARK, VIETNAM

2025-10-06T15:58:53+07:00

This study analyzes the market potential and value chain of Ganoderma lucidum (lingzhi) in the buffer zone of Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam. Despite its high medicinal and economic value, commercialization remains limited by unsustainable wild harvesting, low value addition, and unequal benefit distribution among the Banah ethnic group. Using a mixed-methods approach combining household surveys (n = 187), interviews, and focus groups, we mapped the value chain, assessed socioeconomic and ecological dynamics, and conducted a SWOT analysis to evaluate the feasibility of under-canopy cultivation. Results reveal that wild lingzhi stocks declined by 40% from 2020 to 2024 due to overharvesting, while foragers capture less than 25% of final retail prices. SWOT findings indicate strong community interest (60% of households) and ecological suitability for cultivation under acacia canopies as key strengths, alongside weaknesses such as low technical knowledge, limited financial access, and water scarcity. Opportunities include partnerships with private processors, participation in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program, and adoption of certification schemes (organic, FairWild) to enhance traceability and market value. However, ongoing ecological decline, drought, and gender inequalities pose significant threats. The study emphasizes the need for an integrated strategy linking cultivation, value addition, cooperative marketing, and gender-sensitive capacity building. By applying the Sustainable Value Chain (SVC) framework, this research provides evidence-based insights for inclusive and ecologically responsible commercialization of non-timber forest products in Vietnam’s upland buffer zones.

LEGAL ISSUES IN DEVELOPING AGRICULTURAL CULTURAL TOURISM - A CASE OF THE NORTHERN MOUNTAINOUS PROVINCES OF VIETNAM

2025-10-11T15:33:36+07:00

Agricultural cultural tourism is emerging as a vital direction for sustainable development of cultural tourism in Vietnam, especially in the northern mountainous provinces, due to their rich agricultural landscapes, strong national cultural identity, and high levels of community participation. Despite significant opportunities, the practical implementation of this model faces major legal obstacles. Specifically, the current legal system has not yet established an integrated framework encompassing tourism, environment, land use, and cultural heritage; the regulations for recognizing agricultural tourism sites remain too rigid and inflexible; mechanisms for benefit sharing and community participation are not guaranteed; and tools to assess environmental impacts and carrying capacity of destinations have not been standardized. This article analyzes relevant regulations (the Tourism Law 2017; Environmental Protection Law 2020; Cultural Heritage Law 2024; and related decrees and decisions), reviews international studies and typical case examples from the region, and identifies the main legal gaps. On this basis, it proposes several solutions to improve the legal framework, including: establishing an integrated legal mechanism for agricultural cultural tourism; creating a certification scheme for “agricultural cultural tourism”; adopting policies to support benefit sharing with local communities; applying land use regulations more flexibly; and introducing a mechanism for environmental restoration deposits/guarantees.

SMART AGRICULTURE, SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, AND URBAN RESILIENCE: AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN VIETNAM

2025-10-11T15:37:27+07:00

This review article explores the critical intersection of smart agriculture, sustainable tourism, and urban resilience as a comprehensive framework for sustainable development in Vietnam. It analyzes the economic, social, and environmental benefits of smart agriculture and sustainable tourism while highlighting the severe threat of land subsidence in major urban centers, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, drawing on the seminal research of Dinh Ho Tong Minh. The paper argues that an integrated policy approach, which includes the development of agritourism and addresses the root causes of subsidence, is essential for ensuring long-term economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity. Finally, it proposes a set of integrated policy recommendations for Vietnamese policymakers to navigate the complexities of modern development, ensuring that economic growth does not compromise the environmental and social foundations upon which it is built.

POTENTIAL AND READINESS TO PARTICIPATE IN HIGH-INTEGRITY FOREST CARBON MARKET IN SON LA PROVINCE, VIETNAM

2026-01-28T00:30:04+07:00

This study evaluates the potential and readiness of Son La province to participate in the high-integrity forest carbon market (HIFCM). Utilizing a Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) framework, the research employs 44 specific indicators across three core pillars encompassing institutional, technical, and social dimensions aligned with international carbon standards and local implementation realities. Results indicate significant project potential, with approximately 86,000 hectares eligible for afforestation/reforestation (AR) and 59,000 hectares for REDD+ initiatives. The province achieved an overall readiness score of 0.54, placing it in the preparatory phase. While the institutional pillar is relatively advanced (0.6), significant bottlenecks remain in the technical (0.48) and social (0.46) dimensions. To enhance readiness, policy recommendations focus on establishing a common domestic carbon reserve mechanism and improving local technical capacity for scientific baseline monitoring. Socially, the province must prioritize transparent benefit-sharing frameworks and substantive community engagement to ensure long-term sustainability. These findings provide a strategic roadmap for local authorities to align with Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 commitments and international integrity requirements.

EVALUATING GREEN GROWTH PERFORMANCE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM PHU THO PROVINCE, VIETNAM

2026-01-28T00:36:14+07:00

Abstract. This study investigates how Viet Nam’s National Green Growth Strategy is translated into practice at the provincial level, using Phu Tho Province as an in-depth case study. Employing an implementation-focused mixed-methods design, the research integrates secondary quantitative data with systematic policy and institutional analysis to assess green growth outcomes across agriculture, industry, energy, and tourism during the period 2018–2024. The analytical framework is grounded in the Triple Bottom Line approach, enabling an evaluation of economic performance, environmental sustainability, and social inclusiveness through harmonized indicators aligned with national strategies and international benchmarks. The results reveal that Phu Tho has achieved measurable progress in rural income enhancement, expansion of ecotourism linked to OCOP value chains, improvements in energy efficiency, and increased deployment of renewable energy. These outcomes suggest an emerging pattern of relative decoupling between economic growth and resource use at the subnational level. However, the analysis also identifies persistent constraints related to green finance readiness, institutional fragmentation, and uneven technical capacity, which limit the scalability and durability of green growth initiatives. The study contributes to the green growth literature by proposing a practical framework for operationalizing green growth at the provincial level and by empirically linking policy design, institutional coordination, and development outcomes. It further demonstrates that theory-informed descriptive analysis, based on secondary data and policy triangulation, can yield robust insights into subnational green growth pathways in developing-country contexts.