Highlanders of Central Vietnam and Cambodia : Economic and socio-cultural changes between 1975 and 2007

Mathieu Guérin (1)

1 CRHQ - Centre de recherche d'histoire quantitative

The Highlanders of Vietnam and Cambodia experienced dramatic changes in their livelihood during the last 30 years.They have been facing unprecedented migratory movements from the plains. The newcomers are farmers, civil servants, foresters, traders, coffee growers. They spread over their land, fundamentally shattering their way of life. This colonization process of the Highlands by outsiders took an appalling turn in Vietnam at the beginning of the 21st century. Meanwhile, Cambodian highlands seem to follow the same path. Forest clearing, intensive land development, land grabbing as well as pressures to change their habits affects the daily life of the native people of the Highlands. According to governments and international development agencies, these changes should allow a better integration of the Highlanders into their nation and the global world. However, many Highlanders suffer from the situation and want to stand for their land, their customs, and their identity.

Domaines: Histoire

Mathieu Guérin. Highlanders of Central Vietnam and Cambodia : Economic and socio-cultural changes between 1975 and 2007. 2007. ⟨hal-00464814⟩