First-Generation Vietnamese Refugees

In April 1975, North Vietnamese troops captured the city of Saigon, which was the capital of South Vietnam. The US ambassador ordered evacuation of all American personnel and as many South Vietnamese refugees as possible. Chaos ensued as many South Vietnamese citizens desperately tried to flee the country. Captured by American photographer Dick Swanson during the “Fall of Saigon,” also known as the “Liberation of Saigon,” by the current Vietnamese government, these photographs are a powerful visual representation of a turning point in these individuals’ lives, and more broadly, the Vietnamese diaspora experience.

The majority of first-generation Vietnamese diaspora in the US are refugees who fled their homeland following the fall of the South Vietnamese government. It is important to note however that, at the time, the US media and government avoided using the term “refugees” and instead favored the term “boat people,” possibly to shirk any responsibility for them (Pham). In the Vietnamese Immigrants Oral History collection, there is a noticeable lack in the use of the term “refugee” by interviewees when self-describing. Possible reasons for this include the negative connotations associated with the term “refugee” as a result of the media and government’s stigmatization during their arrival in the US, desire to distance themselves from the traumatic experiences associated with their refugee status, and fear of being discriminated against or marginalized based on their refugee status. That said, these oral histories provide valuable insight into the experiences and perspectives of Vietnamese immigrants and reveal complexities of the Vietnamese diaspora’s relationship with both their new home country, the United States, and their country of origin, Vietnam.

Upon their arrival in the United States, the first generation of Vietnamese refugees faced a multitude of challenges, including racism, language barriers, and financial hardship. Underneath the “model minority” stereotype, many individuals experienced racial discrimination, poverty, mental illness, physical ailments, addiction problems, and intense pressure to succeed—symptoms of an earlier history (Võ). The language barrier served to exacerbate existing problems as it made it difficult for the refugees to advocate for themselves, access resources, secure employment, and integrate into American society. Recognizing that learning English was an essential step towards integration into American society, many Vietnamese refugees sought to improve their English skills. This often meant juggling multiple jobs that paid low wages during the day while attending English classes at night.

When the first wave of Vietnamese refugees arrived in America in the 1970s, many of them settled in slum-like coastal communities. To make a living, the refugees built boats in order to start fishing, a livelihood many were already familiar with from their previous lives in Vietnam. Unfortunately, many locals were unhappy with the new competition and felt that the Vietnamese fishermen were intruders in the community. The Ku Klux Klan even left calling cards as threats at the Vietnamese fish houses to deter them from continuing the fishing business.

In the midst of these challenges, the Casterline Fish Company in Texas emerged as an ally for the Vietnamese community. Leslie Casterline's family owned the company and helped the Vietnamese succeed in the fishing business. The story of the Casterline family's support for the Vietnamese community is a powerful reminder of the importance of allyship and community support, particularly for those who are struggling to make a new life in a foreign land.

Kim Bui’s oral interview provides valuable insight into the experiences of first-generation Vietnamese refugees and the challenges they faced upon arrival in the US. Bui worked two jobs during the day and took English classes at night. She did not have the opportunity to attend high school in the US because she was older than 18 years old, highlighting one of the many obstacles faced by older refugees in accessing educational opportunities. However, her little sister did attend high school, and would share her lessons with Bui and their brother. This practice of trickle-down learning is an example of how families within the Vietnamese diaspora worked together to overcome educational barriers in their new home and achieve a sense of belonging.