Comparing local people’s perceptions of climate change and drought with scientific observations in the lower Mekong Basin: a case study in Dak Lak province, Vietnam

The main purpose of this study was to analyze observed meteorological data and local people’s perceptions regarding climate change and climate change-related drought in rural areas of Daklak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, located in the Lower Mekong Basin. A sample of 354 households was selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with respondents based on a structured questionnaire. Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in climate change perceptions across the 8 communes studied (χ² = 23.58, df = 7, p = 0.0013), indicating that location plays a crucial role in shaping these perceptions, primarily based on education and ethnicity. The study found a significant difference in climate change perceptions and observations of climate change-related extreme events, depending on socio-economic and demographic household characteristics. Education, preferred media sources, and income sources positively impacted climate change understanding. The study recommends targeted outreach to less educated communities and those with limited media access. The limits of human perception of slow processes such as climate change or processes noised by strong interannual variability are also shown. The statement highlights none of the discrepancy between farmer’s perceptions and meteorological data relating to clear trends such as global warming. However, when describing trends in precipitation (volume and duration), there is often disagreement between farmer’s perceptions and meteorological observations. This discrepancy can be attributed to less pronounced precipitation trends and high interannual variability. Regarding drought occurrence, most (95%) respondents’ perceptions align correctly with scientific observation based on the SPI index. Policymakers are encouraged to use these insights to formulate effective and inclusive climate change and drought mitigation policies that resonate with the diverse needs and understandings of the community.