All They Seek Is A New Hom
Van Gong Thanh, 27 years old, the son of a former senior Da Nang policeman, was expelled from University in 1975. Until his escape in a small boat in October 1982, he was not permitted to work because of his father's former political connections. Thanh says, "It is better to live in a closed centre than Vietnam. I will go to any country that offers me refuge, except a communist country."
How Long Must They Wait?
Ho Quang Minh, 31 years old, a Hanoi architect, arrived in Hong Kong in March 1983. He once taught at an architectural college and earned a good salary. He was unhappy though because, "We have no freedom in Vietnam. A man cannot improve himself, he cannot think what he wants. The future of our country looks darker and darker so I decided to leave."
Doan Thi Nguyet, 40 years old, lived in the beautiful resort city, Hong Gai. But the scenery was no compensation for the harshness of life and, driven by hunger, she and her children escaped by boat in . December 1982. Her husband was captured and is now in prison. Nguyet left her homeland because, "There is no justice, not enough food. I want to raise my children in freedom."
Tran The Hoa, 25 years old, as a military- academy student in 1975 spent several months in a re-education camp. He then organised boat escapes, was caught and sentenced to 27 months in prison. He was kept in overcrowded cells, fed badly and beaten by the warders. He escaped in March 1983 and says, "I hope to be reunited with my sister in California."
Nguyen Luong, 80 years old, a fisherman, thought it was time to leave when the com- munist authorities began to confiscate his fish. Taking his son, daughter-in-law and four grand- children, he fled in his fishing boat and arrived in Hong Kong in September 1982. When asked where he would like to be resettled, he drew chuckles from listeners by replying, "Where there is liberty is my new country." Nguyen hopes his family will be given the chance to make a new life.
Nguyen Anh Cat, 29 years old, graduated from the University of Hue's medical school in 1980. Nguyen was not permitted to work as a doctor because of his political activities as president of the University Catholic youth group. Nguyen and his wife hope for resettlement. In a country that will permit me to work in the medical field."
Dang Tuan, from Da Nang, is 13 years old. His family was persecuted after 1975 and sent to a New Economic Zone. "Because of my father's old job, I was not permitted to enter high school", he explains. He got away in a tiny boat crowded with 31 refugees and arrived in Hong Kong in April 1983. Asked to explain freedom, he replies, "It is a country where there is no enforcement. A country where I can work at whatever is suitable for my talent."
Nguyen Thanh Toai, as a colonel in the South Vietnamese Army, led his troops into battle against the Viet Cong. In 1975, along with other high-ranking officers and politicians of the defeated regime, he was taken to a re-education camp reserved for, "the most dangerous people." Five years of harsh treatment caused his weight to drop by 25 kilos. He was released in 1981 and made 14 escape attempts before finally succeeding in May 1983. Nguyen has three sons in the U.S. and hopes to resettle there.