Narrowing the gap between statutory and customary rights in Vietnam

In Vietnam, there exist a gap between statutory rights from legally allocated forests and informal customary rights to community forest management. In some cases, this gap has led to conflict, community displacement and loss of, or reduction in livelihood opportunities. The gap stems from lack of, or inadequate support given by local authorities to forest people after being allocated with forest lands. As a result, forest people could not exercise their formal rights, and resort to managing community forests according to customary rules. Often, collective action is used as a means to exercise customary rights.