Geographies of Rural Families

This project explores the impact of aquaculture development in Tan Duong, Vietnam on family structures, roles and activities. Through critical engagement with theories of kinship, development, gender and Vietnamese studies, I will complicate the notion of coastal communities and the economic activities that take place within them. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) provided the funding for my research in central Vietnam through the Principles in Practice (PIP): Oceans and Coastal Governance in Vietnam and the Philippines. Using qualitative field methods, I examined the dynamic character of Tan Duong fishing commune at a time of profound economic and social change. Drawing on the works of scholars such as Werner and Luong for historical and region specific materials, Harris and Moser for a feminist critique of household economics and development and Harvey for an over-arching look at the impact of capitalist development on the physical landscapes, I examine the social, economic and environmental issues facing Tan Duong and Vietnam in this time of transition.