Vietnamese-American Diaspora Engagement in Homeland Development: Reciprocities, Potentials, and Challenges

Abstract

This article explores the reciprocal relationship between Vietnam and its diaspora in the United States, and suggests that they have adopted a “reconciliatory approach” to promote development progress within the context of transnational interactions triggered by globalization. The diaspora acts reactively to the home state’s responses, but proactively to its capacity for effective communication and negotiation. Conversely, the home state at first acts reactively toward transnational interactions and then gradually adopts expatriate-oriented policies to proactively steer diaspora engagement for development impacts. Reciprocal interactions help to expand the scope of diaspora engagement from low- to high-level transnational practices, which go beyond income-based and material supports and center on social development aiming to improve the wellbeing of every individual in Vietnamese society. These reactions may also push for further policy change in the home country and result in improved institutional conditions in which deeper contributions of the diaspora could be expected for the consolidation of peace and development in a post-conflict society.