Short Summary: The Doi Moi reforms, meaning literally ‘renovation’ allowed for relaxation of registration, employment opportunities in the private sector, and the possibility of self-employment. Similar to reforms in China, these have resulted in an upsurge of ‘spontaneous’ migration in contrast to previous population moves which were either government organised or sponsored. Evidence from household and individual questionnaires carried out in 1994 are used to explore these migration dynamics. However, the sampling method tended to omit temporary migrants, or those without residence permits, so the findings reflect the situation of registered more than unregistered migrants. Migration flows to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after 1989 are more concentrated in the ages 15-29 and are composed of a greater proportion of females than previously, with more migrating for economic reasons than previously. Most recent migrants are single, and more have moved for schooling. However, the proportion of females moving for economic reasons is increasing, with greater opportunities as household servants, in light manufacturing, sales and services. Males are more likely than females to move for economic reasons and to work in the private sector. Migrants work longer hours than non-migrants with greater discrepancy between migrant and non-migrant women. Women migrants work longer hours than men migrants. Men migrants earn more than women migrants, but the difference is decreasing. The prevalence of young women among migrants suggests local government should ensure access to health care, particularly reproductive health, for the migrant population.
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