Climate change poses an acute threat to the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). To respond to this threat, the structure of the delta’s agriculture-based economy must transform, becoming more adaptive to changing conditions. One adaptive livelihood option is the use of flood-based farming systems in the upper VMD. The present study examines local perceptions of such a system in Dong Thap Province, a lowland, flood-affected area of the upper VMD. Specifically, we explored lotus farming as a potential flood-based adaptive livelihood model for the region. The study advances the current literature by using historical research, embedded in narrative analysis applying the social construction of technology (SCOT) lens. We collected data through in-depth interviews and field surveys to qualitatively analyze the emergence and status of lotus cultivation in the study area, zooming in on how local society evolved with expansion of this farming model. The findings suggest that as an innovative idea, lotus farming initially emerged due to unfavorable natural conditions, and then was developed as an attractive nature-based livelihood, and thus received increased attention. It has been accepted and modified over time according to the new interests of further stepped-in stakeholders. Our findings echo the social construction of technology perspective as we found lotus farming to be a technological artifact that did not develop on its own, by was driven by different interpretations and re-negotiation process. This made more room for stakeholders to shape and reshape it in a way that fits their interests.

中文翻译：

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越南湄公河三角洲的莲农种植作为适应气候变化的创新之举

气候变化对越南湄公河三角洲（VMD）构成了严重威胁。为了应对这一威胁，三角洲以农业为基础的经济结构必须转变，以适应不断变化的条件。一种适应性的生计选择是在上部VMD中使用基于洪水的耕作系统。本研究调查了在同塔省（VMD上游的低地，受洪灾影响的地区）同塔省的这种系统的当地看法。具体来说，我们将莲花种植作为该地区潜在的基于洪水的适应性生计模型进行了探索。该研究通过使用历史研究来推进当前的文献研究，并运用技术社会建构（SCOT）镜头将其嵌入叙事分析中。我们通过深入的采访和实地调查收集了数据，以定性分析研究区域莲花种植的出现和现状，并着眼于当地社会如何随着这种耕种模式的扩展而发展。研究结果表明，作为一种创新观念，莲花种植最初是由于不利的自然条件而出现的，然后发展成为一种有吸引力的基于自然的生计，因此受到了越来越多的关注。根据进一步介入的利益相关者的新兴趣，它已经随着时间的流逝而被接受和修改。我们的发现与技术视角的社会建构相呼应，因为我们发现莲花种植是一种技术产物，并不是由自己自己发展的，而是由不同的解释和重新谈判过程驱动的。