From Migrant Group to Ethnic Minority Group: Internal Perspectives on the Formation of the Vietnamese Diaspora in the Czech Republic

Tóm tắt

Utilizing the statistical database of the Czech Republic (CR), Czech census data in 2011 and 2021, along with the participant observation method, this paper aims to indicate the formation and development of the Việt Xù diaspora in the CR from the 1950s until now. The influx of Vietnamese migrants began with labor agreements between two socialist countries, leading to an increase in their population and contributions to the local economy through retail trade, culinary and beauty services, transforming their status from migrants to the national minority. Vietnamese community continues to face challenges related to integration into mainstream Czech society, namely language difficulties and instances of racism. The younger generations are masters in the Czech language and cultural integration successfully though they face challenges in balancing their cultural heritage with the pressures of assimilation. Their experiences reflect broader themes of migration, assimilation and identity formation in contemporary society. The findings of this study hold significant implications for diaspora research.