ISLE OF SKYE, Scotland — Vietnam, a country that has long been battling the aftereffects of war, has seen drastic economic restructuring and substantial improvements in poverty reduction over the years. With a poverty rate of 4% in 2023, the significant decrease from 58% in the early ’90s is a resounding display of social and economic success. However, poverty reduction measures lag for many ethnic minority groups and those living in the rural, mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam. About 80% of people living in the northern midlands and mountainous areas in rural Vietnam are composed of ethnic groups like the Hmong and poverty rates for many of these ethnic groups have been reported to be higher than 80%.
The Borgen…
