Nigerians in Vietnam are mostly expatriates from Nigeria residing in Vietnam for business or economic purposes.[2] They are part of a new wave of Nigerian emigrants going to non-traditional migration destinations such as Ethiopia, Ghana, and Mozambique rather than traditional favorites like Libya, the United Kingdom, or the United States. They refer to poor economic conditions in their homeland, including lack of electricity and public safety, as their primary motivations for emigration.[3]

Nigerians in Vietnam
NigeriaVietnam
Total population
600[1] (2023)
Languages
Nigerian English • Vietnamese
Religion
Islam • Christianity • Buddhism
Related ethnic groups
Nigerian diaspora

Business and employment

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Many Africans, including Nigerians, run fashion shops in Tan Phu district, Ho Chi Minh City.[4] Others are believed to have been attracted to the country by offers of contracts with Vietnamese football teams around 2006 and 2007, but were later replaced by Brazilian players and had their contracts terminated.[5] Wages in the country are low, equivalent to just US$200/month even for a college graduate, meaning many of the migrants find it difficult to make a living.[6]

Community organizations

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In 2009, at the suggestion of Vietnamese immigration officials, Nigerian residents formed the Nigerian Union in Vietnam in an effort of self-policing, in order to improve the public image of Nigerians and represent legitimate Nigerian businesspeople effectively to the authorities.[7]

References

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  1. ^ VnExpress. "Nigerian man overcomes discrimination to fall in love with Vietnam - VnExpress International". VnExpress International – Latest news, business, travel and analysis from Vietnam. Retrieved 2023-06-16.
  2. ^ "Việt Nam mạnh tay với người Nigeria", BBC News Vietnamese, 2009-02-08, retrieved 2011-06-24
  3. ^ "Tough Times: Nigerians Flee to Ghana, Vietnam", Modern Ghana, 2009-02-16, retrieved 2011-06-24
  4. ^ "Foreigners in HCMC settle into fashion business: A group of Nigerians have found a stylish new niche in Ho Chi Minh City", Thanh Nien News, 2008-07-22, archived from the original on 2008-08-22, retrieved 2011-06-25
  5. ^ "Times of Hostility", The Word of Ho Chi Minh City, 2009-04-03, archived from the original on 2016-09-21, retrieved 2011-06-24
  6. ^ Francis, Ndubuisi (2009-02-08), "Crime: Vietnam Cracks Down on Nigerians", Thisday, archived from the original on 2009-02-11, retrieved 2011-06-24
  7. ^ Peach, Will (2009-03-31), "From Lagos to Saigon", The Word of Ho Chi Minh City, archived from the original on February 9, 2013, retrieved 2011-06-24
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