Socio-economic Transformation of the Khmer from 1980 to the Present: Studies and Initial Identification

Abstract

In Vietnam, since 1980, especially after the “Đổi mới” (renovation) policy (1986) with major focus on market economy development, many aspects of the socio-economic life of ethnic minority people have rapidly changed. The Khmer people are not outside of this process. Parallel to this process, there have also been considerable changes in the academic landscape notably in terms of methodologies and approaches, including ethnology. Based on the literature review of a large array of studies from 1980 to the present, the article systematically outlines the basic socio-economic and cultural changes of the Khmer in the South of Vietnam, with focus on the Mekong delta. It initially identifies some different research methodologies and approaches in studying the Khmer. Grounded also on literature review, the article highlights several unanswered and controversial issues, and provides some suggestions on research orientations on the       Khmer in Vietnam.