The Role of Ha Nhi People’s Traditional Village Space in Mitigating Natural Disasters: A Study in Bat Xat District, Lao Cai Province

Abstract

This article explores the factors that enable the Ha Nhi people in Lao Cai province to respond more effectively to natural disasters compared to neighbouring ethnic groups. Through field research conducted in Bat Xat district, it was discovered that the Ha Nhi people have minimised the damage caused by flash floods, thanks to the presence of forest, villages, and terraced fields. These spaces are interconnected, with forests retaining water and providing water sources for villages and terrace fields. The forest acts as a protective barrier for the villages and is greatly respected by the community. Simultaneously, terraced fields serve as recipients of nutrients from the forest while aiding in reducing the flow rate of water, preventing erosion and landslides, and safeguarding the village landscape. The article also draws comparisons between Dao villages and Ha Nhi villages to explain why Ha Nhi villages demonstrate greater resilience in the face of natural disasters, such as flash floods and sewer floods.