SOCIAL NETWORK SUPPORT FOR MIGRANT HOUSEHOLDS DURING THE INITIAL SETTLEMENT PHASE IN RURAL SOUTHEASTERN VIETNAM (A Case Study in Tan Hiep Commune, Hon Quan District, Binh Phuoc Province)

Abstract

Drawing upon survey data collected from 97 migrant households in Tan Hiep Commune, Hon Quan District, Binh Phuoc Province, this article conducts an analysis of the function of support networks among households during the initial phase of their settlement in the destination area. The findings indicate that a majority of households benefit from various forms of support (including the provision of information regarding accommodation, emotional encouragement, job introductions, etc.), with an average of approximately 3.5 individuals contributing, predominantly consisting of family members, relatives, friends, and neighbors at the destination. Furthermore, the article elucidates notable variances in the scale, composition of networks, and levels of support received by migrant households originating from the North, Central, and South regions, which reflects disparities in their immigration timelines and the degree of community cohesion among the migrant populations; specifically, households from the Central region exhibit the most extensive and diverse support networks, attributable to their strong kinship and compatriot connections.