This article presents a part of research from an International project: Highland aquatic resources conservation and sustainable development (HighARCS project, EU, 2009-2013). Research on livelihoods was carried out by interviewing 94 households in 5 villages at Tuong Tien and Tuong Ha communes in Phu Yen district, Son La province. This article presents the assessment and overview status of social and economic of resetlement communes depending on the exploitation of aquatic resources at the study site, available natural resources and access to resources, economic informations at household level, especially the exploiting status of aquatic resources in Da river and income sources from agricultural activities Key issues facing the target communities were addressed. In addition, solutions on policy were proposed in order to conserve aquatic resources and to sustain the livelihoods of the studied communities.