SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF INFORMAL VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURNED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM

Abstract

Social integration is a major challenge that return migrants have to face, especially those who migrated through informal channels. This article focuses on analyzing the current status of the social integration process of Vietnamese returnees from the UK in the period 2014- 2023, based on the theory of sustainable reintegration (IOM, 2019). The study was conducted through a questionnaire survey of 164 returnees from the UK and 49 in-depth interviews with stakeholders in three provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Binh. The study found that the main challenges among returnees during their social reintegration are negative emotions, psychological trauma from the migration, and self-stigma due to failure to meet economic expectations and barriers to reconnecting with the home society. However, the study also showed their resilience, in which family and community support and individual efforts play a key role. The article gives recommendations to develop reintegration support programs suitable for returning labor migrants, contributing to promoting adaptations for returnees