The livelihood adaptation of Khmer immigrants in Binh Tan district, Ho Chi MinhCity: a case study from Binh Tri Dong B and An Lac wards

Abstract

Peri-urban areas are characterized by their landscapes of closely mixed rural and urban activities and also by the agglomeration of industrial clusters, going with high labor demand. Binh Tan district is a peri-urban area of Ho Chi Minh City, with a fast urbanization rate, mainly due to significant flows of rural migrants, especially coming from the Mekong Delta region. Data show that Khmer immigrants choose this district to improve their livelihood and incomes, with different livelihood diversification. Nevertheless, most of these livelihood activities belong to the informal employment sector. This paper aims to analyze their livelihood capacity of adaptation in the context of the fast changing peri-urban area of Binh Tan district. The results are based on mixed method of primary data and secondary data analysis. Secondary data was collected from two surveys, conducted in two wards (Binh Tri Dong B and An Lac), with 120 questionnaires and 10 in-depth interviews with multi-stakeholders. The results show that Khmer immigrants adapted gradually to urban life, but still have to face new challenges in the adaptation to new livelihoods. Indeed, Khmer immigrants come originally from rural regions, with livelihoods based on agricultural activities. They also combine specific cultural identities. These reasons lead to different disadvantages in their new livelihoods in a large city. As a result, whereas the structure of their employment and income change in a positive trend, the spiritual life changes in a negative trend. To illustrate this difference more clearly, this paper presents some Khmer immigrants’s portraits, who are working in different types of livelihood in both favorable and adverse aspects of the adaptation to a new life in peri-urban area.