Vietnamese rural communities in the context of youth labor migration: current state and prospects

Le Tuyen Thi Thanh ORCID: 0000-0002-8584-7512 PhD in Sociology Lecturer Thu Dau Mot University, Postgraduate student Department of Pedagogy, Psychology and Social Work, Volgograd State University 400062, Russia, Volgograd region, Volgograd, Universitetskiy ave., 100, office 4-18 B 400062, Russia, Volgogradskaya oblast' oblast', g. Volgograd, ul. Pr. Universitetskii, 100, of. of. 2-20 B tuyenltt@tdmu.edu.vn

Introduction

The theoretical foundations of the study of rural communities are laid in the works of F. Tonnis^[1], K. Marx^[2], B. Lenin^[3], M. Weber^[4], E. Durkheim^[5] F. Znanetsky, V. Thomas^[6], Ho Chi Minh^[7] and other scientists and politicians. These works talk about the transition from a traditional agricultural society to an industrial one, from feudalism to capitalism, and the importance of rural communities in the life of society. The greatest attention was paid to the penetration of capitalist relations and urban lifestyle into the countryside, the mass resettlement of peasants to cities, rural unemployment.

Currently, studies of Russian rural communities include such topics as: agricultural reforms and their impact on rural social communities (Z.I. Kalugina^[10], O.V. Lylova^[11], A.M. Nikulin^[12], A.A. Hagurov^[13], G.S. Shirokalova^[14]); identification of the development potential of rural communities (V.A. Artemov^[15], A. Kostyaev^[16], the team of authors T.V. Blinova, R.P. Kutenkov, V.N. Rubtsova^[17]); development of agriculture and entrepreneurship in rural areas (D.K. Bokontaeva^[18], authors P.P. Velikiy, N.P. Kuznik, L.G. Khaibulaeva^[19], V.G. Vinogradsky^[20], T.P. Yemelyanova^[21]); gender factors of rural lifestyle (O.V. Artemova^[22], Yu.V. Popkov^[23], authors V.G. Vinogradsky, O.Ya. Vinogradskaya, O.P. Fadeeva^[24]); rural poverty (P. Lindner^[25], authors E. V. Serova, I. G. Khramova, S. V. Khramova, O. V. Shik, T. V. Tikhonov^[26]); new forms of agricultural production and the public sector of rural labor (A.I. Afanasyeva^[27], authors E.S. Balabanova, A.B. Bedny, A.O. Grudzinsky^[28], V.Bogdanovsky^[29], L.V. Bondarenko^[30], R.E. Praust^[31]); value perspective of rural youth (R.H. Kazakbayev^[32], P.A. Mikheev^[33]); Comprehensive study of various aspects of rural community life (L.V. Bondarenko^[34], Z.I. Kalugina^[35], T.G. Nefedova^[36], V.V. Khodorkovsky^[37], G.G. Sillaste^[38], authors E.I. Kholostova, E.M. Chernyak, G.N. Chupin^[39]). In general, theories about Russian rural communities have helped to see more clearly the similarities in the development of studies of Vietnamese rural communities.

Like Russia, Vietnam is a country with a long history of agricultural development, so the topics related to rural areas and rural communities are touched upon by many scientists (Vu Quoc Thuk^[40], Nguyen Thua Hee^[41], Luong Van Hee^[42], Phan Dai Doan^[43], To Dui Hop^[44], Le Thi^[45]). Rural communities have long been considered by researchers as villages, farms and communes^[46]. The works of Vietnamese scientists present the historical, cultural, economic, and political aspects of the study of the Vietnamese village. In the course of its development, the Vietnamese rural community has undergone many changes. Migration is an inevitable process in any society. In Vietnam, this process intensified after 1986 due to the application of the Doi Moi policy. Migration policy was influenced by the development of urban centers (especially the formation of industrial zones in large cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and the capital Hanoi), the transition from a centralized to a market economy. This has led to an increase in the number of migrant workers. Whereas before the 1990s in Vietnam, the population mostly migrated to new economic areas, at present, Vietnamese society is characterized by migration from rural areas to urban areas or to industrial zones^[47].

The majority of migrants are aged 15-39 years (which is 83.9% of all migrants in the 15-59 age group)^[48]. This shows that young migrants, unlike other age groups, play an important role in the process of migration from rural areas to cities. The migration of young people contributes to an increase in the number of working youth and is an indicator of the rejuvenation of the workforce in large cities. In addition, this migration process has led to the fact that rural communities in Vietnam today have to face serious challenges, such as: aging of the population, general population decline (mainly due to migration of young people to cities), changes in the institution of the family (in relations between family members, division of labor, production, work on at home, caring for children and adults).

Based on the above aspects, the author notes the need to determine the current state and prospects for the development of rural communities in the context of youth migration from rural areas to cities in modern Vietnam on the example of the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, Bacleu province, in order to more clearly see changes in the economic, cultural, social life and living space of rural communities. Based on the results of the study, the author offers a number of recommendations to reflect the positive impact of young migrants from rural to urban areas on the current rural Vietnamese community.

Methodology and methods

This study is based on the provisions of the theories of community and society (Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft) by F. Tennis, the theory of the rural community by Vietnamese researchers (Tran Tu, Phan Dai Doan, Nguyen Quang Ngoc, Bui Xuan Dinh, etc.).

The purpose of this study is to determine the prospects for the development of rural communities in the context of youth migration from rural areas to cities in modern Vietnam on the example of the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, Bacleu province. The paper uses the results of the author's sociological research. The author conducted a questionnaire survey (N = 811) from August to September 2021 in the area of the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, Bakle province. The respondents were members of households whose relatives are young people who migrated from rural areas to cities, aged 16 to 35 years. The number of households inhabited by young people migrating from rural areas to cities (from 2015 to 2020) in the rural community of Vinh Trach Dong is 1,414 households, of which 811 households have working youth migrating to large cities, which is 57.3% of the total number of households. Thus, the sample size was 811 people^[49]. With the help of this study, the author assesses the impact of young people migrating from rural areas to cities on changes in the life of rural communities in modern Vietnam.

As a qualitative method, in-depth interviews were used using a random sample of people living in rural communities of the province of Bacleu (N = 10). The in-depth interview questions are aimed at clarifying the characteristics of rural communities, analyzing the impact of young migrants from rural areas to cities on rural communities, assessing the situation of rural communities in the province of Bacleu in the context of youth migration from rural areas to cities.

Discussion of the results

Remittances, the economic contribution of migrants are an integral part of maintaining the livelihoods of families in rural communities. The results of the study confirmed that economic reasons are important reasons when making decisions about migration. According to the results obtained from the report on the socio-economic situation of Vinh Trach Dong in the period from 2015 to 2020, this commune should be attributed to an agricultural commune whose income is mainly related to agriculture. The per capita income is 23 million DONG per person per year, which is almost 2 times lower than the income of the same type in the entire province of Bacleu. In 2020, the restored acreage decreased by more than 15% compared to five years ago. People lose their livelihood and are forced to look for another job to support and develop their lives. Today, under the influence of the socio-economic policy of the Government of Vietnam, the professional structure of the population and the social system have undergone major changes. Not only farmers live in rural areas, but also intellectuals, workers, and entrepreneurs. Therefore, the source of income is not only agricultural production, but also other types of activity.

The results of the study showed that 68.2% of households receive their main income from migrant contributions, 16.9% of respondents named "business, trade". Only 14.1% noted that the main household income comes from "agricultural production". Agriculture is the main industry in traditional rural areas. However, with rising living standards and prices, the cultivation of rice and fruit trees often becomes not very profitable. Locals say that the land is not fertile and poor. This makes it difficult to grow crops. However, many respondents noted that they have not abandoned agriculture because they want to preserve their land in order to feel "safe".

One of the main reasons for encouraging migration is travel: the state of the household often encourages the member of the family with the highest income to migrate to the city. Migration is the main way to increase the income of the population. The research results of the Vinh Trach Dong commune show that the average monthly household income depends on the assistance of migrants. In other words, the monthly contribution of migrants is of relatively great importance for the household economy.

Figure 1: Migrants' contribution to family income

Source: compiled by the author

According to the diagram, 54.5% of households (442/811 households) receive migrant assistance "less than 1 million dong", 31.8% of households (258/811 households) receive "from 1 to 2 million dong", 10.5% of households (85/811 households) "more than 2 million dong". Migrants give their families almost half of their entire monthly income. Because, based on the statistics of the annual per capita income of the commune of Vinh Trach Dong (23 million dong/person/year)^[50], the monthly income per capita is about 1.9 million DONG/person/month. The income of the households participating in the study does not exceed the average per capita income of the entire commune. The pressure of the growing population against the background of the reduction of agricultural land forces many people to leave for other places in search of work and income. Monetary assistance is one of the ways for migrants to demonstrate their role and responsibility to their families. Moreover, it is also a way for them to perform economic functions, ensure economic ties and connections with other family members. The results of the assessment of the contribution of migrants to the household economy showed that the majority of respondents rated the economic contribution of migrants as "relatively large", reaching 51.9%. 45.3% consider this contribution to be the main one. 0.9% and 2% of respondents rate this contribution as "small" and "temporary". The results of research in this area show a fundamental difference when comparing the economic situation of a family before and after migration.

Figure 2: Assessment of the economic situation of households before and after migration (%)

Source: compiled by the author

According to the chart above, the majority of respondents stated that the economic situation of the household has changed for the better after the economic contribution of young migrants: 48.8% of respondents chose "better", and 38.5% - "much better". Meanwhile, the opinion of "Harder" has a very low indicator — 1.7%. Comparing incomes before and after migration helps a family to have a clearer strategy on the issue of migration of family members, and also helps migrants themselves to determine when and where to migrate in order to get the best income.

Moreover, along with the process of economic renewal and favorable information perception, in recent years, families in rural areas of Vietnam have become interested in investing for the future.Futures include savings in the bank, purchase of insurance. In fact, in rural areas today, in addition to health insurance, many households also have access to other types of insurance, such as personal longevity insurance. According to the survey results, the share of households who chose the method of bank savings reached 63.6% (516/811 households). At the same time, 77.3% (627/811 households) of respondents stated that their families buy health insurance for their children. 42.9% (348/811) of families have insurance for elderly parents. These figures indicate an improvement in people's thinking compared to previous periods when they thought only about everyday expenses, but could not accumulate economic savings for the future.

Changes in rural communities in conditions of migration of young people from rural areas to cities

The results of the study show that the decision on migration is made not only individually, but is always based on the priorities of all family members. All family members decide on this issue and come to a consensus before deciding on migration. The absence of a breadwinner in the family can create problems and generate conflict situations. This concerns the relationship between husband and wife. The survey results show that the majority of respondents positively assess the problems associated with the migration of one of the spouses.

According to statistics, 79% of respondents agree with the statement "people in the community work hard, thus showing love for each other." At the same time, 54.5% agree with the statement that "husband and wife exchange work more evenly in the family," 32.9% "disagree" with this statement, and 12.6% feel "perplexed." In fact, the migration process can change the perception and behavior of individual migrants and their families. In this situation, gender stereotypes can change in a positive way, husbands are willing to share work that they have never done before, wives will have more authority to make decisions in the family when the husband migrates.

Another obstacle to migration is that it is difficult for a husband and wife to come to an agreement. The results of the study shown in the table show that 44.5% of respondents "agree" with the statement that "it is difficult for a husband and wife to agree", 21.7% of respondents consider it "difficult" and 33.8% "disagree" with this statement. In fact, migration often causes those who remain a lot of concern about the risk of deterioration of the relationship between husband and wife. The difference in living standards between rural and urban areas worries people even more.

According to the survey results, the majority of households who took part in the survey positively assess the relationship between husband and wife if there is a migrant in the family. 40.6% of respondents noted that the feelings of husband and wife have not changed, 44% confirmed that their relationship is still very "favorable", without any obstacles, 14.1% of respondents commented on the difficult relationship between the spouses after one of them left for a job far from home.

With regard to gender equality in households, the results of the study showed that the majority of migrants in the study area are men. Most families with migrant husbands and homemaker wives.

Figure 3: Respondents' opinion on gender equality between husband and wife

Source: compiled by the author

According to the chart, 52.4% of respondents noted that since their family migrated, equality in the relationship between husband and wife is "progress", while 40.6% confirmed that "nothing has changed". Only 7% indicated that the relationship had deteriorated. Significant advances in ensuring equality between husband and wife include a change in position, a change in decision-making powers, and a change in treatment. In a detailed interview with women migrating to urban areas to wholesale vegetables and fruits, it was revealed that thanks to the economic contribution of a woman, her relationship with her husband has changed markedly, her position and role in the family have improved.

If you look at it from other sides, it is also clear that migration makes an important contribution to the fulfillment of the educational function, the function of socialization in the institution of the family.

The survey results show that 90.8% of respondents "agree" with the statement that thanks to migration, families have "better conditions for taking care of their children's education." Thanks to the contribution of migrants, families can invest in modern equipment such as computers, install networks to support their children's education. Their children have the material conditions to attend additional classes, increase the level of knowledge. A student in a migrant family shared: "I have the opportunity to study more foreign languages, prepare for exams in other subjects. My parents say it's expensive, but I have to study, and my parents care about the money." However, the absence of migrant families will also affect the development of children to a greater or lesser extent. The absence of the main employee in the family can cause psychological insecurity and anxiety. In addition to concerns about children and the feelings of husband and wife, there are problems associated with a shortage of production workers, with home security, with relations with neighbors, with caring for elderly parents.

According to the results of the study, the family is the most basic and important element in the structure of a rural village in Vietnam. Currently, in this structure, the family - clan - community have a close connection.

Prospects for the development of rural communities in modern Vietnam

In the case of young migrants in the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, migration is an important and integral part of the socio-economic development of this area. By sending part of their earnings back to households, migrants play an important role in the development of the local economy, especially contributing to poverty reduction. Migration affects a large number of households. Most migrants emphasize that they have become rich thanks to migration. Thus, migration creates direct opportunities for development, thereby creating the prospect of reducing the socio-economic gap between regions.

In this study, the author does not discuss specific solutions in detail, but offers ideas for promoting the potential and minimizing the restrictions that migration brings to modern Vietnamese society. Accordingly, constant monitoring is needed to better understand the various migration processes in order to form the basis for policy development. It is necessary to improve large-scale studies to ensure the registration of all migration movements, including permanent, short-term and pendulum migration. The results of the research should be used as a basis for planning and budget allocation at the central and lower levels, especially for the planning process in urban areas. In rural areas, anti-poverty programmes target the weakest groups of the population, such as women, children and the elderly in families with migrants. In particular, some migration flows need more detailed analysis. For example, the case in the commune of Vinh Trach Dong, which is a typical case of migrants from ethnic minorities in Vietnam.

Government authorities and groups of experts and scientists should improve the analysis of what contribution labor migrants can make to the development of rural communities. Two important areas that need to be prioritized for research at the next stages are the analysis of the flows of remittances to their homeland and their contribution to the fight against poverty, the possibility of transferring knowledge and skills of migrants returning to their places. This area of research requires special attention to ensure the long-term development of rural areas where families with migrant workers live. In addition, it is necessary to expand research on the possible consequences of environmental changes, natural disasters, epidemics, and economic trends. This will help experts and authorities to develop policies that will help reduce the negative impact of these changes.

Conclusions

Based on the survey results presented, the study revealed some characteristics of households with young migrants, as well as features of migration activities and household life in the study area. Migration decisions are made based on the consensus of the whole family on the basis of basic criteria, in which the most important, as before, is the comparison of income. This is the main reason mentioned in many studies on migration. All migrants in the studied area prefer to leave for big cities, because there are many employment opportunities for them there. As for the type of occupation, since the starting point for most households is agriculture and there is no training in skills, the occupation that migrants choose to work at their destination is usually simple and routine work (hired workers, waiters, seasonal workers, motorcycle taxis, small traders). Nevertheless, the economic role of migrants in the family is highly appreciated. The majority of respondents noted that the contribution of migrants is relatively large, and thanks to this, the family has conditions for investment and purchase of goods, more valuable things.

However, the migration of rural youth can cause structural disorders that significantly affect the organization of family life, in addition, this process can also increase the burden and responsibility of the remaining family members, as well as change the responsibilities and roles of migrants. The process of rural-urban migration is actually a social process. Thanks to this, rural residents come into contact with urban society and accumulate for themselves both material and social capital, knowledge about urban life. This accumulated source is transferred to the countryside.

In addition, the problem that also needs to be solved is that households must have the necessary opportunities to invest, allocate and manage resources, as well as to effectively use economic development policies, both in spiritual and social life. Only in this case will rural households be able to achieve safe and profitable development. In addition, the State policy of rural development should be developed in parallel and taking into account migration policy to ensure the development of rural communities. Social protection for migrant workers should be improved through the adoption of appropriate legal norms in modern Vietnam.