The Role of Temporary Migration in Rural Household Economic Strategy in a Transitional Period for the Economy of Vietnam

Rural to urban migration has been a central outcome of, and a key contributor to the rapid economic growth in Vietnam since 1986. Much of the policy and research attention given to migration flows have focused on permanent migration. This paper conceptualizes temporary migration from rural to urban areas and discusses the role of temporary migration in the rural household economy from the point of view of returned migrants. The paper uses qualitative data from the 2003 Young and Family Study conducted in four rural communes, substantially supplemented by a review of secondary data, to assess the nature and determinants of temporary migration. The data suggest that temporary migration is an important part of rural household economic strategy in this transitional period of the economy of Vietnam.