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In reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is a recognition triggered by the pandemic of the role that walking and cycling (active travel) can make to substitute motorized travel, particularly on short trips. However, there is a lack of evidence at the micro level on the realistic, empirically derived, potential of these options. Here, we used reliable tracing data to examine the potential of these mitigation options for reducing GHG emissions in Vietnam. Apart from similar categories of travel purposes as in other studies, we decided to categorize “visit relatives” and “eating out” as two more separate categories of travel purposes in Vietnamese case, which together accounts for nearly 16% of total trips. We discovered that 65% of all motorcycle trips in this case study were less than 3 miles in duration, therefore active travel was able to create a significant impact on GHG emissions from personal travel. Active travel can replace 62% of short motorcycle trips if considering travel patterns and constraints while saving 18% of GHG emissions that would have come from motorized transport. If active travel can further replace all shopping trips normally done by motorcycles, in total being equivalent to 84% of short trips, 22% of GHG emissions from motorcycles can be reduced. It should be noticed that active travels have time cost implications, impacting economy at both household and city levels, but from a comprehensive “co-benefit” standpoint, this transformation could act as a catalyst for addressing traffic congestion, air pollution, and even community health and well-being in urban areas.

Although the informal sector of waste collection has an important role in income diversification for the poor and contribution to waste recycling, this sector is still not recognised in any government official policies and is usually underestimated in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. This paper employs a systems thinking approach to analyse the crucial roles of the informal sector in solid waste management (SWM) system in Vietnam. From a circular economy viewpoint, the flow diagram was built for the first time, which could integrate the actors and activities of the informal sector into a wider SWM system in Vietnam. The map focuses on analysing the contributions and activities of the informal sector, focusing on its roles and impacts on the recycling system. This paper then employed the systems thinking approach to further analyse the systematic problem of the informal sector. The analysis builds on the field survey including elements and key driving forces of the systems with 36 scrap dealers, 127 scrap buyers, and 760 households and in-depth interviews with experts in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam. Based on the practices and experience in waste-related activities of informal sector, this sector should be integrated into the general waste management process. With the relevance of informal systems, the authorities could establish an effective waste recycling system, and improve the livelihoods and working conditions of those involved, especially the poor.

This study conducts a Cost-benefit analysis of dyke heightening in the Vietnam floodplain to explore some of economic issues associated with three interrelated aspects of the Mekong Develop...

Rice intensification in Vietnam relies on the construction of high dykes in the Mekong Delta floodplain to prevent flood waters from entering fields during the flood season. This enables three rice crops to be grown annually instead of two. On the floodplain, two rice crops can be described as “balanced cropping” since it has a long fallow period, which conforms to good agricultural practices, and also takes advantage of the flood's benefits. For example, it integrates the natural fish, other aquatic animals, and flood sediments during the flood season as part of the rice field ecosystem. This study surveys agriculture practices among “three crop” and “two crop” farmers on the floodplain. It is argued that planting three crops (“intensive cropping”) cannot provide a sustainable alternative to balanced cropping, either from an economic or an ecological viewpoint. Study findings emphasise the need to recognise the ecological value of balanced cropping systems for an efficient and environmentally sound production of food. In connection with this, it is suggested a case for limiting further dyke heightening since rice intensification, which is the aim of this large-scale water control, does not make economic sense.