Since mid-2006 Oxfam GB in Vietnam has been directly disbursing non-emergency cash grants to 550 poor and nearly poor households in An Loc commune, Ha Tinh province. These grants support empowerment by enabling households to utilise their knowledge and skills to determine the best investments for livelihood development. This final evaluation, conducted in November and December 2008, draws lessons from the project to inform and strengthen future developments and interventions. It reflects on the evolution, achievements and constraints of the project.