The Vulnerability-Poverty Nexus: Evidence from Two Coastal Fishery Communities in Central Vietnam

Given geographical disadvantages and fragile ecosystems, the livelihoods of fishery smallholders in coastal regions are vastly susceptible to climate variability. This study thus seeks to estimate the livelihood vulnerability to climate-induced hazards of two coastal communities in Phu Vang and Phu Loc districts, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam, through the livelihood vulnerability index referring to the IPCC framework (LVI-IPCC). In addition to in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, a 2021 household survey was conducted to obtain the primary data. The results disclose that households in the Phu Loc region tend to be more livelihood vulnerable than those of the Phu Vang district, mainly due to lower levels of adaptive capacity index. Additionally, the analysis of multivariate regression reveals that the vulnerability of coastal communities was significantly influenced by their socioeconomic demographics, asset portfolios, livelihood strategies, and social connections. We argue that rural fishery households face an endless trap of vulnerability and poverty, of which poor status and solely lagoon resource-based incomes seem the root cause of all problems. Recognizing this, the study offers a guiding framework of the vulnerability-poverty nexus in order to help local communities escape these dilemmatic issues.