Integration of Vietnamese Migrants in the Countries of Eastern Europe and Russia: A Comparative Study

Questions of migration and integration of the Vietnamese migrants into social and economic processes of Russia, Ukraine and countries of Eastern Europe will be considered in presentation. Results of research revealed significant differences in the number of Vietnamese in comparison with official statistic data. So in Russia according to 2002 census number of Vietnamese made 26 thousand people, however, study results suggested 100-150 thousand people. Part of Vietnamese is “veiled” by integration process.

Based on the methodology developed by the authors, assessment of extent of integration of the Vietnamese migrants in host countries was given. The technique is based on allocation of integration components of Vietnamese in host countries, namely civil, economic, ecological, social and psychological, religious, cultural integration. Research was conducted in Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland by interviewing scientists, representatives of government, business, they were offered to put points from 1 to 10 to each component.

Results showed that integration proceed differently. Vietnamese are most integrated in the Czech Republic and Hungary. According to experts, total score made 50 points out of 60 possible. State policy in the Czech Republic and Hungary was directed to the need for integration of Vietnamese in society through development of integration programs. In Hungary and the Czech Republic much of the Vietnamese citizens received citizenship in host countries, they became citizens. The success of economic integration is associated with high entrepreneurial activity, professional qualifications and access to the labor market of Vietnamese. Much less successful is integration of Vietnamese in Russia and Ukraine, civic, environmental, and socio-psychological component integration is low there. Evaluation of Russia is 40 points, Ukraine is 34 points.

Over the past few years, neither Russia nor Ukraine has developed mechanisms for integration of Vietnamese. Bureaucracy, absence of standard and legal base strongly complicated integration process.