People's Police Newspaper (Bao Cong-an Nhan-dan)- Monday 3/17/1997, Vietnam. This article refers to the fact of "illegal" migration of the Hmong from the highlands of northern Vietnam for economic reasons, which is blamed in part on their Christianization. In fact, many of the Hmong have ceased to grow opium as a result of their conversion, which has contributed to their economic difficulties. Other factors such as severe flooding, and one which the authorities do not wish to acknowledge, severe persecution by the authorities themselves, have caused many to attempt to flee the highlands.

The Bac-Quang district is the economic, political, and cultural center of influence of the Ha-Giang province. Though there are many improvements in every area, Bac-Quang still has a number of growing social problems, such as drug addiction, superstition.... Especially in recent years, new problems of evangelistic preaching, illegal conversion and migration-at-will have sprung up and affected the economic life of the people.

At some villages in the district, such as Thon Ven, Tan Trinh, Dong Tien, Yen Binh, Pa Van, Khuon Da, . . . taking advantage of the lack of knowledge of the tribal people, some individuals propagandized, persuaded, and instigated them into forsaking their ancestral worship practice and following Tin Lanh (the "Good News," or "the Gospel"). At their most successful time, there were many people who enlisted and became members. These rebellious individuals even transported cassette tapes and hymnals to these villages to propagandize and instigate the Hmong people into requesting for a piece of land to build a prayer chapel.

 At some areas in the district there were incidents of migration-at-will [without permission]. These migrations occurred in groups of from one registered household to several households. Especially there was a series of large migrations between the 18 and 24 of April, 1996, consisting of up to hundreds of registered households, over 300 persons in the 2 villages of Bang Hanh and Hun San; they left their home villages for Dac Lac, Lam Dong. According to the number in a survey, until now throughout the whole district there have been 65 registered households, or 409 persons, who migrated to another location. The government and other organizations had to pool their resources, and after many time-consuming efforts, succeeded in bringing them back to resettle in their home villages.

 In coping with these complicated incidents that affected the safety and order in the district, a direction-setting Committee was formed, under the leadership of the Chairman of the People's Committee, to authorize activities, propagandize, inform the public of the situation in order to promote unity, and settle unrest among the people. Especially, local officials had a clear understanding of the problems in each village and each family. They organized drives for food, blankets, mosquito nets, health cares, distribution of free medicines, and at the same time planned, arranged, and divided pieces of land for the people, helping them settle down. Furthermore, they also executed the leaders of rebellious organizations, caught in action many who gathered together for the purpose of preaching and evangelizing illegally, and prosecuted in court a case of 4 individuals who took advantage of their preaching to steal property from the people. District officials have coordinated different economic and cultural methods, and promoted cultural activities and propaganda deep into remote areas. On another front, they concentrated in bringing economic projects into villages, with first priority to those who are still facing many problems. There are a number of programs to be noted, such as program number 327, designed to help the people in the villages of Tan Lap, Dong Tam, Duc Xuan, etc.

 In 1996, the program of investment development with the fund of billions of piasters was focused on erasing famine, reducing lack in areas where there are tribal people who are struggling. At the same time, spontaneous efforts of relief to aid victims of natural disasters, worth up to 10 millions piasters and over 10 tons of food, have helped them resettle, such as in the villages of Thuong Binh and Binh Son (Bang Hanh).