They proposed some policies to optimize the development impact of international emigration for Vietnam. Current policies have not been effective, but resolving the problem will require close coordination by the countries involved.

International emigration has increased dramatically since the end of the US war in Vietnam. The latest statistics indicate that approximately 5 percent of Vietnamese families have one or more family members residing abroad ( about 1 million people). Vietnamese people have emigrated to almost 30 percent of the countries and territories of the world. The countries with the largest number of Vietnamese residents are the US, Taiwan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Russia. Most emigrants are between the ages of 17 and 45 and have resided 1-5 years abroad.

Remittances from abroad are a significant factor in many families’ income and living standard. Remittances have increased significantly in recent years.

Seminar participants agreed that government agencies, local authorities, and communal organisations should work closely with each other to improve people’s awareness of the opportunities and risks brought by international emigration. The Vietnamese government should devise policies to encourage skilled workers and experts to return and put their know-how to use at home.