Short Summary: The Doi Moi economic reforms introduced in 1986 allowed for a relaxation of restrictions on the household registration system which obstructed rural-urban migration. The registration system no longer limits acquisition of essential goods in cities, however it still restricts migrants’ participation in the housing, credit, business and land market. Social services such as health care and schooling are also limited for migrants without permanent registration. This creates a major division between temporary migrants and those with permanent registration. During the Doi Moi periods, large numbers of young women moved to urban areas for economic reasons as temporary migrants. Permanent women migrants were more likely to have moved for marriage or family reasons. Finding work and escaping urban poverty was easiest for women who were single, migrated at an older age, had moved to towns rather than cities, and who were well connected with migrant networks. Middle level education was an advantage in finding work, but a university or college degree increased the chances of unemployment among migrants. To increase the success of Doi Moi, policy efforts are recommended which accommodate migration, and treat population redistribution as a positive factor for development. These conclusions are drawn from interviews with over 2,500 individuals in migrant and non-migrant households in six provinces and cities throughout Vietnam. To order this journal, contact Vietnam's Socio-Economic Development Review, 27 Tran Xuan Soan, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tel./Fax: (84) 4 9783802' e-mail: vsed@hn.vnn.vn, http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Dojo/4758/vsub.htm