ABSTRACT
Viet Nam is in a process of redefining its policies and practices related to national and household food security so as to respond to the multiple risks faced due to climate change and demographic pressures. A series of radical changes in food security policies have taken place since the end of the war in 1975. These changes also reflect intentions to take advantage of the opportunities that exist to enhance the livelihoods of the population and develop commercially within a dynamically changing region. At the same time, goal conflicts are appearing between a move towards a commercialized and urbanized society and efforts to maintain the security currently provided by smallholder farming and to protect highly productive agricultural areas from conversion to urban and industrial purposes. This chapter considers the range of factors that are influencing how food security is developing a new meaning in both national policies and in the practices of rural households.
