.png)
From Việt Nam to Oklahoma City
In 2023, Vietnamese Boat People (VBP) teamed up with Possibilities Inc. to capture narratives of the Vietnamese-American diaspora residing in Oklahoma City. The interviews took place in Oklahoma City on November 18 and 19, 2023, accompanied by an informal community gathering on the 18th to raise awareness about Vietnamese Boat People's mission and to celebrate the stories of the local community.
The 'From Việt Nam to Oklahoma City: Community Recordings for Digital Publication' project was made in partnership between Vietnamese Boat People and Possibilities Inc., and was partially funded by the 2023 Oklahoma Humanities grant. Its objectives encompassed documenting and spotlighting the remarkable journeys of the Vietnamese-American community in Oklahoma City while ensuring public accessibility to these invaluable narratives.
This community project was made possible by Possibilities Inc. and Vietnamese Boat People, and was partially funded by a Oklahoma Humanities Grant.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families and individuals who allowed us to capture their incredible experiences and entrusted us in preserving their stories for this collection. We also extend our thanks to many others in the community who contributed to the making of this collection.
We are so grateful for the support of the community in Oklahoma City in advocating for this project and special recognition goes to THN Insurance Solutions, Quill Hawk Publishing, and Asian District of OKC for their leadership and advocacy.
From Việt Nam to Oklahoma City, partnership summary
Video credits: Daniel De Lemos Duas Avos Productions
From Viet Nam to Oklahoma City, Community Recordings Trailer
Video credits: Matt Young
From Việt Nam to Oklahoma City: A Journey of Resilience and the History of the Vietnamese American Community in Oklahoma City
The Vietnamese American community in Oklahoma City has a vibrant and diverse history marked by resilience, determination, and a commitment to cultural heritage. Emerging from the tumultuous aftermath of the Vietnam War, members of this community navigated the complexities of resettlement in a foreign land, demonstrating remarkable strength in the face of adversity. Their enduring contributions have left an indelible mark on the tapestry of Oklahoma City, shaping its identity and enriching its cultural landscape.
We invite you to explore the individual stories below and read more about the history of the community here.
Gallery
Click on the images to read each story.
If you would like to contribute, please Share Your Story.
Roots Rediscovered: A Journey back to Vietnam
Samantha Vu Tran
Gregory Viet Nguyen
Gregory Viet Nguyen
Thi Nguyen
Thi Nguyen
Stationed in Huế
Minh Le
Agnes Kim Thi Nguyen
Agnes Kim Thi Nguyen
Peter Nên Hoang
Peter Nên Hoang
From Bombs to New Beginnings
Xuan (Spring) Kim Nguyen
The Tran Family Journey
Sang Van Tran
From War-torn Homeland to Heartland
Thu Nguyen Wright
A Mother’s Strength
Thuy Farrell
A Big Sister's Journey: Escaping Saigon with Five Siblings
Le Truong Greuel
A Son's Reflections on Sacrifice and Redemption
Hung (Richard) Ly
The Chance
Lisa Cheng (Muoi Quan)
In Memory of: Thien Viet Nguyen
Jenny Nguyen-Statler
A Divided Homeland
Quang Pham
$20 for Nine People to America
Hong Kluver
A Couple's Journey Through Vietnam's Turbulent Times
Thao and Ellis Edwards
Leaving Behind: A Family's Decision to Escape Vietnam
Minh Nguyen
Minh Dinh Pham
Minh Dinh Pham
From South Vietnam to Oklahoma
Thanh (Tom) Nguyen
The Heart Warrior's Creed
Amy M. Le
Help us improve the site! If you see typos, kinks, or just have ideas to make it better, please tell us by completing this survey or email us at stories@vietnameseboatpeople.org - subject line "Journeys Map".