Navigating the bureaucracy: an analysis of implementation feasibility for the Mekong Delta Plan, Vietnam

Abstract

Strategic delta planning focuses on strategic, long-term choices to stimulate sustainable development in deltas. Strategic delta plans outline a long-term vision to be embedded into the plans and activities of government agencies and semi-public actors at multiple levels. This implies a form of coordinated, yet decentralized, implementation. Although, its importance is widely acknowledged, there are few analytical approaches to assess the feasibility and possible bottlenecks of such implementation processes. This article applies a motivation and ability (MOTA) framework to assess the implementation feasibility of the Mekong Delta Plan in Ben Tre province, Vietnam. The results reveal diverging motivations and a perceived lack of ability among government actors at local and regional level. When not wellmanaged, this could hamper the translation of the strategic goals and visions into local and regional actions. This suggests the usefulness of the MOTA framework as a tool to help manage implementation processes for strategic delta planning.

Land‐use dynamics in the Mekong delta: From national policy to livelihood sustainability

“…Implementation of the national Land‐Use Plan at the provincial level in Vietnam depends on both hierarchical (vertical) and sectoral (horizontal) aspects (Korbee, Nguyen, Hermans, & Ho, ). The Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the provincial government—as responsible actor for the implementation—depends on both the requirements set at the national level (through the National Land‐Use Plan) as well as on requirements set by other sectors (through the provincial Socio‐Economic Plan).…”

“…Some innovative governance models, which also include land‐use design and planning, have been created in the VMD. A second governance challenge results from the Vietnamese focus on planning, rather than implementation (Korbee et al, ). Lacking of budget is one of critical constrains in implementation.…”

“…However, developments in the region have not followed this. In practice, local government authorities regard “implementation” as the translation of national plans into provincial and district level plans (as top—down), with minor focus on the actual changes in practice (Korbee et al, ). As a result, plans when being “translated” to a local level, do not take into account of the local setting, making them difficult to implement.…”

Farmer adoptability for livelihood transformations in the Mekong Delta: a case in Ben Tre province

“…The results of this study and the application of MOTA can furthermore be used to assess whether or not practices and livelihood models in line with the proposed strategic goals are desirable from a local farmer perspective, in addition to a focus on soft implementation (Seijger et al forthcoming). Strategic delta planning processes are not only designed to alter agricultural practices, as in this study, but also governmental planning procedures (Korbee et al 2019).…”

Strategic delta planning: launching new ideas on managing a Delta, and their travels along actor coalitions, participatory planning tools and implementation timelines

“…Three papers address the need for new actor coalitions and institutional frameworks in strategic delta planning processes. Korbee et al (2019) provide a local level perspective on the implementation feasibility of strategic delta plans. Based on a case study of the local institutional setting in Ben Tre province, Vietnam, the paper addresses the need to understand the motivations and capabilities of government actors at different levels in the Mekong delta.…”