» Read the Vietnamese version of this story

Author: Nguyen Quynh Dan
Storyteller: Nguyen Quynh Dan
Community Language School: Wollongong Vietnamese School
Main School: Stella Maris

The story of how my parents came to Australia.

Hello Teacher and friends.

My name is Vinh Nghi. I am 10 years old. I live in Cordeaux Heights, Unanderra. My family is from Vietnam. My parents went to Australia first, followed by my grandparents. My parents escaped on a boat to Malaysia, then flew to Australia.

There are 5 people in my family. My father’s name is Le, 48 years old. My mother’s name is Loan, 51 years old. My older brother is Quang, 22 years old. My grandfather’s name is Cong, 86 and me.

My father works as a bus driver for the Premier Illawarra. My mother can no longer work after being diagnosed with meningitis. My brother works for Ernst and Young Company. My grandfather stays at home and enjoys gardening. I am in Year 5 at St Pius the Tenth.

My grandfather’s story

My grandfather said:

“During the war, I lived in Saigon and was a government official. I taught typing in the National Administration Institute until I retired. During that time I witnessed the assistance of the American and Australian Armies against the Communists. I thought the Australian soldiers were great. In spite of the American and Australian help, we finally lost the war. On the 30th of April 1975, the Communists occupied the whole of South Vietnam.
My family still stayed in Vietnam while most of my friends immigrated to the USA from Saigon. Other friends were forced to go the Reform Camp. Vinh’s parents could not cope with the dictatorial Communists so they tried any way to escape from the country. At last they ran away to Malaysia. Finally they were allowed to immigrate to Australia. After a few years I came and felt happy in this free and democratic country.”