Immigration, Rapid Population Concentration and Its Impact on Environment of Southeast Region in Vietnam

Luu Bich Ngoc, and Nguyen Thi Thieng

National Economics University, Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract: Southeast region is the most rapid industrialization, urbanization and now has become the most developed economic region in Viet Nam that has contributed more than 2/3 of the total national budget revenues annually. Simultaneously, this region is also the fastest population concentration region in the last three decades. The total of immigrants coming was five times higher than that in the Red River Delta region, which was ranked as the second region. The immigration rate to the Southeast region was four times higher than that of Highlands region, which was ranked as the second region. Population concentration had both positive and negative impacts on economy, society and environment. However, not many studies focused on analyzing these two side impacts of the phenomenon on environment. This study aims to fill in the gap above and provide scientific database on migration, population concentration and its impact on the environment for urban planning makers. This study used both available data sources and primary data sources. The impact on the environment was perceived by the immigrants themselves. Besides the cross-table analysis, multivariate regression analysis was performed. The results also help predict migration motivations in the future.

Key words: immigration, population concentration, environment, impact assessment