SUMMARY
This article presents the findings of the full-scale survey which has been conducted to assess the contribution margin and variable costs in rural areas of Ha Tinh. The field survey was designed in such a way that it would enhance the comparison between the group-of-common-interest households which have been supporting each other in their routine production activities, and individual households which roll out their production on their own, without any support. As such, the results can set some light on the question of who is better in terms of economic performance in general and contribution margin in particular. The results would, therefore, be able to render the policy implications to stakeholders of vested interest. Keywords: Individual and common interest group households; Contribution margin; Ha Tinh; Vietnam.