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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.

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This community project was made possible by Humanities Truck and Vietnamese Boat People.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the families and individuals who entrusted us with preserving their stories for this collection. We are also deeply thankful to the volunteers who dedicated countless hours to planning the Food & Conversations community dinner, which was a vital part of this project.


We are immensely grateful for the support of the local community in championing this initiative. Special recognition goes to Dr. Christina Juhász-Wood, Len and Kelly Tran, Andy Tran, Nguyen Pham Thu Thuy, Quill Hawk Publishing, and the Vietnamese Youth Educational Association of Washington DC for their outstanding leadership and advocacy.

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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 ViêÌ£t 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 ViêÌ£t 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

From Civil Servant to Refugee: A Mother's Courage

Agnes Kim Thi Nguyen

The Tides of Change

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".

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