Hoang Thu Huong, Dao Thuy Hang and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Anh
Abstract: During the context of urbanization in Vietnam, migration is becoming increasingly common, even in the Catholic community. This article will explore the change of residence, migration types, socio-demographic characteristics of Catholic migrants, and their choice of a new setting for religious practice after migrating. Surveying areas with different urbanization characteristics allow analyzing the relationship between religion and migration
in the process of urbanization in Vietnam. The field surveys in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bien Hoa - Dong Nai province with 856 Catholics aged 15 years and over have shown certain relationships between the choice of destination and Catholic migrants' characteristics. The difference in terms of age, professional and technical qualifications of Catholic migrants in the three cities are statistically significant. The survey shows that finding convenient accommodation to maintain religious activities is one of the basic needs of migrant Catholics, and they tend to live close to the parish. The finding suggests further research directions on the influence of religion on creating the integration or hindering the integration of the Catholic community in the destination.
Keywords: religion and migration, urbanization in Vietnam, Catholic migrants, Catholic communities.