THE STRATEGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT BY MEANS OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE RELEVANT SECTORS WITHIN VANG VIENG DISTRICT, VIENTIANE PROVINCE, LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Globally, the environment has changed over time, with human activities being believed to be significantly responsible for the associated adverse impacts. Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), as in many other countries, has encountered numerous environmental problems, particularly in those cities with tourism hotspots and intensive investment flows. In this research, the author was interested in studying the environmental problems emerging in Vang Vieng District, one of the world's most unlikely nature-based destinations, located in Vientiane Province, Lao PDR, hereafter referred to as Vang Vieng. The main objectives of the research were: 1) to study the emerging environmental problems and the extent to where there had been meaningful collaboration between the relevant sectors regarding environmental management in Vang Vieng, 2) to formulate a strategy appropriate for environmental management by means of collaboration between the relevant sectors within Vang Vieng, and 3) to develop a manual for putting into action the strategy for environmental management in Vang Vieng. The current study was conducted as a research and development (R&D) project applying a mixed research method, using qualitative and quantitative research approaches.