"Vietnamese Refugee Crisis"

Abstract

Following the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, fearing the new communist leadership, an endless exodus of desperate individuals started: they were the Vietnamese “boat people”. Until 1996, when this massive displacement of millions of Vietnamese reached its conclusion, neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and later Hong Kong were to host the 3 waves of boat people that, at intervals, begun to reach their shores, becoming countries of first asylum. The UNHCR had a leading role in conducing resettlement procedures to third, western countries, for those who met the requirements for refugee status. At an international level, the problem was managed thanks to two important programs, the ODP and the CPA, issued following two famous conferences in 1979 and 1989, the latter finally leading the issue to its end.