Phuong, on the other hand, was struggling to find work in Europe. She had studied to be a nurse in Vietnam, but her qualifications were not recognized in France, where she first arrived.
She worked under the table in a Vietnamese restaurant, but the money was not enough to repay her debts. „She felt hopeless,” says Hien.
It was then that Phuong decided to try her luck in Britain.
Vietnam’s economic miracle has been built on manufacturing for global companies like Samsung and Nike, which account for 70% of its exports.
But the country’s growth model is now running out of steam.
Vietnam is facing headwinds, including the US-China trade war and the pandemic, which have disrupted global supply chains.
Those most affected are the low-skilled workers in the informal sector, who have seen their wages stagnate and their job prospects dwindle.
This is the group most likely to take the dangerous journey to Britain.
Getty ImagesAnd despite the risks, the rewards of reaching Britain can be great.
Once in the UK, Vietnamese migrants are often able to find work in nail salons, restaurants, or construction sites, where they earn more in a day than they would in a week in Vietnam.
For those who make it, the dream is not just to survive, but to thrive.
