Agricultural land abandonment due to floods has become a significant global problem, causing multiple environmental issues, deteriorating rural landscapes, and impacting the socioeconomic conditions of farmers. Although research on agricultural abandonment has addressed different spatial scales, very few studies have focused on Southeast Asian countries, particularly Vietnam, where abandonment rates have significantly increased due to flooding and urbanization. This study assessed the drivers of land abandonment in a river valley in Central Vietnam. The analysis comprised: 1) quantifying changes in land use/cover using satellite data; 2) conducting socioeconomic field surveys; 3) simulating flooding using a 2013 dataset on flood occurrences; and 4) mapping community resilience. Results suggested that the tendency of farmers to abandon agricultural land in high-flood zones and community resilience were vital factors influencing agricultural land outcomes. From a planning perspective, findings of this study highlight the potential for spatial planning to limit the adverse effects of flood events. This approach provides a consistent framework for further research on landscape and agricultural management in similar regions around the world. It is also applicable for other economically developing countries.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ancene.2022.100341