A Video of My Family's True Story as Refugees of the Vietnam War
As a young girl, my family never talked about how they came to America. I knew they came by boat to flee Vietnam after the war but that was about it.
I was sure it was a hard journey and an emotional event to recall - so I never asked. It was not until 10 years ago that I got the courage to ask if they could tell me more about it.
I interviewed my grandfather, parents, aunts and uncles. The stories and recollections that came out were sad, courageous and inspiring.
At the time, I had ambitious intentions to compile the videos together as a documentary for my family. Needless to say, this documentary has been on my to-do list for 10 years.
A few weeks ago, I finally put in the time. I sat down to review all the footage and listen to their stories - 8 hrs worth.
After many late nights of editing, I managed to create 2 documentaries. First, I made a long video, compiling all the interviews and photos. I desperately wanted a way to share their story with my kids, but I knew it would be hard (well, impossible at this age) for them to sit through a 1.5hr video AND read subtitles. I was on a mission to create a simple video for my kids, their cousins and all the generations that will come to enjoy - this is the result...ENJOY!
After completing this, I felt so relieved and accomplished that my families history and struggles will never be forgotten.
I hope this story inspires you to learn more about your own family history and rise above adversities to #BeTheGOOD. Please leave your comments below. I would love to hear what you think.
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