Mangrove Forests Policy Implementation: Case Studies of NGOC HIEN and Can GIO Mangrove Forests in the Southern Vietnam

This chapter explored how some state policies on rehabilitation, protection, and utilization of mangroves are implemented at two locals, namely, Ca Mau Province and its sub-unit Ngoc Hien District as well as Ho Chi Minh City and its sub-unit Can Gio District and what are considered as emgerging issues in the implementation process. The study employed mixed research methods including document and thematic analysis, in-depth interviews, and group discussion. The findings showed that state policies would be adapted through the ways in which these two locals manage to simultaneously orient their work toward accommodating the mandates placed upon them and cope with the reality of socioeconomic difficulties at their levels. The findings also showed some issues that need to consider addressing, namely, locals’ struggles to fill the gaps between written and implemented policies in mangrove rehabilitation, conflict among sectors and stakeholders in mangrove utilization and protection, problems in guaranteeing adequate budget for in-need-locals, inconsistence in policies on “forest: water surface” ratio in mangrove-shrimp farm, and unintended consequences in forest thinning and exploitation regimes. Based on the finding analysis, this chapter discussed lessons learned from the policy implementation process on mangrove rehabilitation, management and forest allocation to household in the south of Vietnam.