Migration Intentions in Urban Vietnam: A Multivariate Analysis

Liem T. Nguyen, Brown University

This paper explores migration intentions of temporary, permanent migrants, and non-migrants using data from the 1997 Vietnam Migration and Health Survey. Determinants of migration intentions of temporary migrants are also examined using a multinominal logit regression model. The results show the majority of urban residents intends to stay in urban areas. Being familiar with current place of residence, family ties and income are the most important reasons to stay. These factors, however, work differently for different types of migrants. Interestingly, results of multivariate analysis show that while kinship at origin is a strong determinant of migration intention, kinship at destination and household size do not play as important role as expected. The findings also suggest that while temporary migrants might have more opportunities in bigger and more developed cities, they have better chances to stay in smaller and less developed cities. Questions for further studies and policy implications are discussed.