The early impacts of COVID-19 on food security and livelihood in Vietnam

In April 2020, Vietnam implemented a nationwide lockdown to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, prompting significant socio-economic impacts. This study examines the differences between NGO-supported households reporting severe versus lesser impacts from the lockdown, focusing on food availability, market access, and affordability. Among 3,431 respondents, 19.2% reported severe livelihood disruptions. Households in the severely impacted group were more likely to be urban-based, experience income reductions, and have a higher proportion of female-headed households. Although both groups reported similar levels of food availability at the household level, the severely impacted group had reduced access to green vegetables. Interestingly, local market availability of hygiene items and essential medicines was higher in the more impacted group. The findings suggest that while the pandemic significantly affected income levels, food availability and the affordability of essential goods did not vary markedly between the two groups, indicating that the economic impacts were perceived as a relative shift in household status.