Social capital, in the form of migrant networks, is a critical resource in determining the
sustainability of livelihoods of spontaneous migrants and their families. This paper
discusses the role of social capital for long distance migration. An analysis of
migrant’s social contacts involving migrants from northern delta regions to southern
mountain areas in Vietnam suggests that information and assistance provided through
migrant networks are crucial for the access to resources. The questions raised in this
paper relate to the access to information about natural resource management via
migrant networks once the migrant has settled in the receiving area. The paper
presents a framework for examining the differential role of social capital in facilitating
migration. Initial results from survey work with migrants in Vietnam are presented.
