The Drive Behind Vietnamese Migrants Risking Everything for a New Life in the UK

In the first half of 2024, Vietnamese migrants made up the largest demographic attempting dangerous small boat crossings to the UK, raising questions about their motivations in a rapidly growing economy. Factors such as wage disparity, limited opportunities, and the influence of successful migrant stories compel many to seek better lives abroad, often through dangerous and illegal means.

Phuong stood before an inflatable boat, wavering between fear and urgency as she considered stepping aboard. With 70 people crammed within, the boat precariously floated in the frigid waters of the Channel, lacking sufficient life jackets. After a two-month ordeal waiting in France that started with her arrival from Vietnam via Hungary, Phuong finally made the leap. Her sister Hien, who resides in London, recounted the emotional toll of Phuong's desperate situation. Burdened by debt amassed during her illicit journey, she viewed retreat as unthinkable, and thus, she boarded.

Now in London without legal status, Phuong's plight underscores a trend that has seen Vietnamese nationals dominate small boat arrivals—2,248 in total in the first six months of this year, a figure exceeding those from nations known for significant human rights issues. Despite Vietnam's status as a rapidly growing economy, termed a "mini-China," the pull toward the UK remains strong for many.

Contrary to assumptions, Vietnamese migrants are not primarily fleeing oppression or poverty. Economic growth has been impressive, evidenced by an eightfold increase in per capita income since 2003. However, a pronounced "relative deprivation" exists. The income gap between prosperous urban centers and poorer rural areas fosters discontent among many, particularly when a substantial portion of the workforce is engaged in informal jobs that offer little stability.

According to Nguyen Khac Giang, a scholar in the region, the sense of stagnation fuels the desire to migrate. For many, working long hours yields inadequate returns to achieve a better life—something Phuong aspired to replicate from her sister's successful experience in the UK. Hien had endured a similar harrowing smuggling journey but emerged financially stable, further driving Phuong’s ambition for a more secure future.

This narrative of seeking better lives mirrors Vietnam's history of migration, dating back decades to times of severe economic hardship. In recent years, however, successful migrants have driven a growing perception that emigrating can yield wealth, encouraging families to invest in the potentially risky journey abroad.

Now, even as Vietnam experiences foreign investment growth, the allure of reportedly higher wages and opportunities abroad remains compelling. The illegal smuggling industry thrives, with brokers presenting enticing prospects for a prosperous life in the UK—often ignoring the severe dangers involved.

Despite the 2019 tragedy of 39 Vietnamese migrants who suffocated during their smuggling attempt, the desire to migrate remains resolute in communities like Nghe An, where remittances from abroad create ostentatious displays of success among returnees. The mindset persists that risks taken by migrants yield greater rewards, often overshadowing the dangers.

While the UK and Vietnamese authorities have made attempts to deter illegal migration through social campaigns, the long-term success of such initiatives relies on creating appealing economic opportunities domestically. As one expert notes, education around the risks associated with illegal migration must continuously evolve to meet the deeply entrenched hope for better futures. Amid stagnant local prospects and uncontainable aspirations, the trend of Vietnamese migration to the UK appears set to continue.