He had to bribe his way out of a jail in eastern Russia. Strict laws In Belarus, he had his meagre funds stolen and had to work in a restaurant kitchen for six months to get money to continue his journey. He almost froze to death in Ukraine. Germany is generous in the provision of funds and housing for would-be asylum seekers. But immigration laws are strict.
Many people spend years trying to get work permits.
They live in limbo, concerned about their status, never able legally to get a job. But today, up to 30,000 Vietnamese, along with thousands of other would-be asylum seekers, still live a twilight existence, often involved in crime. The illegals in the Vietnamese community have cornered the contraband cigarette trade. For the most part, they live in towns and cities in the former East Germany. There, they have to endure a rising tide of racism.