Dear Stephen, 

Thank you so much for sharing your own story of the journey to Australia about:

1. The reasons to escape from Vietnam

2. The hardship

3. The difficulties and the successful stories

4. Your journey to Australia and your life in Australia as a refugee

Talking about Vietnamese Refugees in Australia and I was one of them.

Since the North Vietnamese Communists took over South Vietnam on 30th April. 1975, millions of people have been unable to live under their brutal regime. There was no freedom and almost all families had a male member imprisoned, because he had served in the Army or Government of the Republic of Vietnam. Millions of Southern Vietnamese always lived in fear. Many have fled overseas in small boats, because they were willing to risk death in the dangerous ocean in exchange for freedom, because freedom is as essential as breathing.

Firstly, there was no true freedom in Vietnam. The Southern Vietnamese have had to endure struggle in their homeland. Many people have been disappointed by all the deceptive promises of the Communists. Therefore they hoped to find a land, which offered freedom, in which to build their new future, even risking death at sea if that was what was required. Almost half of these people lost their lives at sea. Those who survived, landed in refugee camps and were granted settlement in approximately 80 countries all over the world.

Secondly, the hardships faced by the Vietnamese people during their flight in search for freedom were:

- Starvation

- Rape, robbery and murder

- Shooting and imprisonment

- Being thrown into the ocean after death

- Uncertainty about the future.

However, death, storm and piracy could not stop thousands of people who were willing to seek freedom at any price. They were finally left with no choice. They had to flee the country. It was like a rush of water through a break in the dam or like bees swarming from a hive.

Thirdly, the Vietnamese people have face many difficulties such as language barriers, looking for work, cultural differences, and even the weather when settling into a new country. The main problem is that the Vietnamese are not economic migrants but refugees. They have not freely chosen to leave their country, but have been forced out by a repressive regime. When escaping from Vietnam, refugees were unable to prepare themselves and had no choice in the country of their settlement. Unlike the 'voluntary' migrant who seeks a 'better life', the Vietnamese refugees had been ripped away from all that they knew. Many had been accepted by the Australian Delegation in the refugee camps and they came empty-handed to Australia. They were strangers in a strange land. Here in Australia most things were alien to them and they missed their relatives and friends, who were left behind in Vietnam even though the Australian Government and Australian people had offered them asylum, had welcomed them into the Australian Community and have given them the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Most refugees who escaped from Vietnam were unable to bring all their family out with them. Now without the possibility of secure employment, they are further disadvantaged. Their struggle to work towards reunion of family members is a key issue: they must have employment quickly in order to raise the necessary money for sponsorship. The Vietnamese refugee is forced to come to terms with many problems in gaining employment in a new country. Once they are earning money, it is saved to support relatives still in Vietnam, suffering under the brutal Communist regime.

Now you might ask me what are the virtues that help Vietnamese people succeed in their new country?

Well, for adults, due to their own acquired qualities, such as thoroughness and economical spending, they soon quickly re-build their new lives in their new countries. Vietnamese people have the tradition of highly valuing their children's education and parents are willing to sacrifice anything. Consequently, a considerable number of educationally successful Vietnamese people is able to make vast contributions to their new countries.

Finally, this incredible journey so far, highlights just how much we value our freedom, and how we have to come to love Australia and think of it as our second homeland. We have integrated well into Australia and feel we have helped to make their new country a better place. In our words, " The success of today is the result of such hard work in the past!"

In conclusion,  we hope all of you now know not only about our struggles, but also the way we believe in our Christian faith which has helped us to survive. Even though moving meant sacrificing our homes and security, we were prepared to do it in our quest for religious freedom. We continue to thank God for his wonderful grace and blessings in our new lives.

Mơ Nguyễn

Kính gửi quý cha và quý cụ câu chuyện đời em lại được lần nữa phát sóng trên đài truyền hình quốc gia ABC. 

Khanh Phuong 

 https://fb.watch/7A9s9-ydzf/

Cám ơn bác Mơ đã chia sẻ. Chúng ta ai cũng đã đi qua chặng đường gian khổ của một người tị nạn, như dân Do Thái xưa tìm về đất hứa. 

Chỉ biết dâng lời cảm tạ Chúa thôi anh ạ!

Mến chúc anh chị và gia đình luôn bình an. 

Khanh Phương. 

Sent from my iPhone