HA NOI - Interactive dialogue “Passport to Future: Creating Positive Change and Fostering Opportunities for Youth” is ” jointly hosted by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the UN Migration Agency, and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union on December 18, 2023. The dialogue brought together Government officials, diplomats, representatives of international agencies, and more than 200 young people in Hanoi city to discuss the impact of globalisation and migration to youth.

Economic restructuring, changes in labor structure in industries and scarcity of jobs; the issue of labor migration and international study are inevitable results of the globalization process. Workers tend to migrate from provinces and countries with labor surplus and low income to provinces and countries with labor shortage and high income. According to the General Statistics Office, the number of number of Vietnamese pursuing international migration accounts for nearly 9% of the population and the number of domestic migrants account for more than 7% of the population, mainly young people. Young migrants often face challenges such as lack of soft skills, job application skills and job search skills in cyberspace. They can encounter the situation of working in unsafe environments, being paid unfair wages, being discriminated in terms of salary compared to local workers... In addition, due to language barriers and cultural differences, migrant workers also suffer many disadvantages.

The participants called for enhanced investment in skills and knowledge transfer as key to increasing youths’ employment, equipping them with the tools they need to contribute to the development of Viet Nam, and confidently navigating the safe and regular pathways in this globalised world. The discussions also contribute to implementing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Youth and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Vietnamese Youth Development Strategy for 2021-2030.   

Mr. Nguyen Tuong Lam , Secretary of the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union , Standing Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Youth of Vietnam affirmed, "Awareness raising activities for young people and promoting the close engagement of young people in the journey of safe migration are practical and significant activities; they are also in consistent with the functions and tasks of the Youth Union" and " we hope that ministries, departments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations can accompany young people in start-up and the establishment of their businesses; support in creating an environment and providing opportunities for young people to train and improve their skills in accessing services and safe migration information when participating in the labor market and studying at home and abroad.”

Ms. Park Mi-Hyung, IOM Chief of Mission to Viet Nam, highlighted the potential that young people represent for societies and how migration can be an essential driver for their development and empowerment: "In the future, even more people will be on the move, to seek better lives and diverse experience. Globalisation and the growth of the internet will create a different world for the youth. Therefore, it is even more critical for the younger generation to be encapsulated with knowledge and new skills to navigate this digitalized and globalized world” and “that’s why IOM Viet Nam has been actively working with many government agencies and actors to equip youth with practical and new skills, provide knowledge on the changing job landscape, and support the Government to align the vocational education and training system to meet the market’ demands. Young people embody our hope and can be agents of change for an inclusive and sustainable future. Act today, together we can create an enabling environment for young people’s participation in decision-making and to realize their full potential”.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to experience the migrants' journey through highly interactive information booths that disseminated necessary knowledge about safe migration, some skilling and upskilling courses, support services for migrants abroad and upon return, as well as overseas education and job opportunities.

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, Vietnamese Youth calls on everyone to "Act Today: You could be part of the solution". A number of proposals from young people have been sent to representatives of government agencies, embassies, and international organizations in Viet Nam.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Tram, National Communications Officer

Email: ngocnguyen@iom.int/ Tel: 0912893964