Impacts of ethnic culture on implementing international programs and projects: case study of Ea Nuol commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province.

Abstract

Ethnic minority and mountainous areas of Vietnam have been developing noticeably during the past twenty years. Besides the main government budget for investment in these areas, money also comes from official development assistance (ODA) projects and programs as well as projects funded by international non-governmental organizations (INGOs). The outcomes of such programs and projects are different but they are all influenced by ethnic cultures. However, the influences of culture on international project implementation and their effectiveness have not been studied thoroughly from ethnological/anthropological perspective. This article's findings 104 are from a case study in Ea Nuol commune, Buon Don district, Dak Lak province. Lessons for authorities and international organizations in localizing program and project activities are presented in the paper in order to make them more practical and effective.