Permanent and temporary migration in Viet Nam during a period of economic change.

This study analyzed differentials between permanent and temporary migrants and compared them to non-migrants in Vietnam. It is based on a survey undertaken in 1997 in four urban and two rural locations in different regions of the country. The design of the survey was to explore the migration situation about 10 years after economic reforms were introduced with particular attention to differentials among the various migrant segments of the population their adjustment and their impact on places of origin and destination. These data reveal patterns very similar to those found in a survey undertaken in Hubei Province China in 1988. Both sets of data indicate the importance of taking government policy into consideration when analyzing migration patterns. In addition it is emphasized that permanent migration and temporary migration in the years after economic reform have served to complement each other and in combination have come to resemble more closely migration patterns in developing countries where such movement is unrestricted by government policy. Gender differentials are also clear. Finally the analysis makes clear that full understanding of the redistribution process and its role in development requires the attention be paid to both permanent and temporary migration.