Economic Functions of Ha Nhi Families in the Border Area of Y Ty Commune, Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province

Abstract

Based on field studies in two hamlets of Choan Then and Lao Chai, Y Ty commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province, the article focuses on analysing the economic functions of Ha Nhi families. Research results show that income-generating activities of Ha Nhi families tend to switch from self-contained production units to diversifying occupations and incomes. The spending structure has been diversified, but accumulated capital to improve production investment and meet consumption needs in the current social situation is still limited. Gender equality is increasingly evident in the family labour division. Besides positive changes, the economic functions of Ha Nhi families today still faces many obstacles, such as limitations in means of production, low capacity in household economic management and market access, decline in income sources and family relationship quality, and an increasing consumption gap between household groups, as well as a lack of ethnic socio-cultural capital in economic development.