A survey releasedon November 27 reveals a large and persistent gap in developmentoutcomes between residents living in mountainous and lowland regions.
The survey was produced after more than 3,700 households in 12 cities and provinces nationwide were polled last year.
Called Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey, it has been conducted every two years since 2002.
Thelatest one shows that income for most rural households continues tocome from farming and livestock, especially in the north and centralhighlands.
In addition, members of small ethnic groupshave much lower access to essential goods, such as safe drinking waterand high quality housing.
According to the Institute ofPolicy and Development Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development(IPSARD), farming is still relevant to how households earn income andaccumulate wealth, but income from household enterprises and wages isalso quickly becoming important.
Luu Duc Khai, an expertfrom the Central Institute for Economic Management, called on theGovernment to put resources into improving living standards in ruralareas, increase vocational training to meet demands - and provideopportunities for farmers to access credit and loans.
Khaisaid that the Government must focus on helping those who no longerrelied on farming. "We should put resources on training them right intheir home town so they can focus on expanding and generating incomesfrom agricultural production instead of forcing them to seek work incities," he said.
The survey was produced by theUniversity of Copenhagen, Institute of Labour, Science andSocial Affairs, the Central Institute for Economic Management andIPSARD.-VNA
