Livelihoods of ethnic minorities in Vietnam - China border area in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic (Case study of Ban Qua commune, Bat Xat district, Lao Cai province)

Abstract

The main livelihoods of ethnic minorities in the Vietnam - China border area are currently agro-forestry combined with small trade and wage labor. Under the impact of the market economy and international integration, cross-border wage labor has become an increasing trend in many ethnic minorities in the border areas in recent decades. When the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, the Vietnam - China border was one of the first areas affected by border restrictions and closures to prevent the spread of the disease, causing difficulties for people’s livelihoods. In that context, this study contributes to clarifying the livelihoods of the ethnic minorities in the border areas under the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic and the local government's economic development policy for the people. On that basis, the paper addresses a number of issues that need to be resolved in order to stabilize the local ethnic minorities’ lives.