Rural in-migration and global trade: Managing the risks of coffee farming in the central highlands of Vietnam

As Vietnam has become increasingly integrated into the global economy, internal migration to the highland frontier has been a major driving force behind its burgeoning coffee industry. Examination of migrant experiences in the Red River Delta and the Central Highlands—migrant sending and receiving communities, respectively—illustrates that livelihood opportunities for coffee-growing migrants are accompanied by an increased exposure to risks and therefore a potential for greater livelihood insecurity. Risks emerge from fluctuations in international coffee markets, the perils of environmental degradation, and increasing social instability in the Central Highland region. Migrants manage these risks in various ways, often drawing on resources provided through migrant networks. The research indicates that a reliance on non-migrating family members for support can be beneficial for migrants who farm coffee. However, this “safety net” for migrants can ultimately lead to an increase in insecurity for the entire migrant household.