from a centrally-planned to a socialist-oriented market economy. Coupled with the liberalization of the market, the central party passed a resolution allowing for the devolution of rights and responsibility for the management of land and natural resources to households and individuals. This transition has contributed to economic development, but the rapid industrialization has had a major impact on the environment (O'Rourke, D. 2004). Limited coordination between actors and institutions engaged in a wide range of coastal activities has also resulted in an imbalance between development efforts and environmental and social protection (ADB 2005). The partial re-construction of Vietnam’s institutional architecture, which previously ensured collective security, has had significant impact on the poor who do not have resources to transcend the risks associated with these imbalances (Chaudhry and Ruysshaert, 2007; Adger, 2002).
The adverse environmental impact attributed to coastal development processes has been further acknowledged in light of the increased frequency of natural disasters in Asia. Climate change scenarios project an increase in storm frequency and intensity coupled with sea level rise, and following the devastating impact of the Asian tsunami,