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A tribute to Canada and its role in the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees

Posted in : Blog
Posted on : April 28, 2025

By Anne-Marie Pham

In moments of crisis, we must remember the strength and unity that define us. As Canadian sovereignty and freedom are under attack, we can draw courage and inspiration from our rich history and the powerful stories that have shaped our identity. Embracing the lessons of the past helps us to forge a future that is brighter, more compassionate, and inclusive for all.

One of these powerful lessons is Canada’s role on the global stage as a place of refuge for those fleeing persecution. April 30, 2025, marks the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Also known as “the Fall of Saigon”, this date has forever etched my mind - and the minds of many Vietnamese - with feelings of loss, gratitude, and hope[i].

Throughout history, my ancestors, family, friends, and other Vietnamese community members have faced immense challenges, from enduring a series of wars and forced displacements, to overcoming the harsh realities of colonization and imperialism. On April 30, 1975, the last American planes and helicopters left Saigon, stranding many as the North Vietnamese communist regime took control of South Vietnam. This marked the start of a challenging era. Under the new government, people faced harsh conditions, as their land and businesses were seized and as officials placed intellectuals, soldiers, leaders, and activists in "re-education" camps marked by forced labour, illness, and death[ii]. Families were separated, property was stolen, and democracy was lost.

In the aftermath, in search of freedom and human rights, I heard endless stories of brave individuals and their families who embarked on perilous journeys, selling their gold and belongings for a rare seat on an overcrowded fishing boat, fleeing their homeland in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes on their backs. These were known as the “Boat People.” Between 1975 and 1995, approximately 800,000 to 1 million Vietnamese fled the country[iii]. Their journeys were fraught with danger, pirate attacks, starvation, and death. They sought refuge in overcrowded camps across Southeast Asia in Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

The world watched in horror. With an urgent call to action from the United Nations, Western nations took collective action[iv]. Canada was one of the countries that heeded the call and played a significant role in addressing this crisis. Between 1979 and 1985, Canada accepted about 110,000 refugees.

The resettlement of refugees was made possible by the tireless efforts of Canadians who felt compelled to help, fueled by the Government of Canada’s establishment of the Private Sponsorship Program (PSR) in 1979. The Canadian government pledged to sponsor one refugee for each refugee that the Canadian public would support privately[v]. This approach gave a tool for ordinary citizens to become directly involved in resettling refugees. Ethnic groups, faith communities, neighbors, families, and other benevolent associations mobilized to raise funds and provided support for the sponsored individuals or families during their first year in Canada. The PSR program has since become a model for other countries around the world, demonstrating how private citizens can play a crucial role in refugee resettlement.

Our nation’s compassionate response was so inspiring that Canada was recognized internationally, earning the Nansen Refugee Award from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 1986. This was the first—and remains the only—instance of a country being bestowed this prestigious award for their aid to refugees[vi].

In 2015, the Journey to Freedom Day Act was approved in the Canadian government and received royal assent. This Act commemorates the exodus of Vietnamese refugees following the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, and their acceptance in Canada[vii]. In 2022, after several years of community fundraising, the Calgary Vietnamese Canadian Association, in collaboration with community supporters and partners, unveiled the new Journey to Freedom Park. Designed in the shape of a boat, with a flower bed at its centre symbolizing the map of Vietnam, the park is situated at the entrance of International Avenue, with views of the river valley and downtown Calgary, offering symbolic reminders of the distance Vietnamese refugees traveled to create new lives. The park’s design was a collaboration between CVCA, local Vietnamese artist T.B. Tran, and First Nations representatives. It showcases a monument dedicated to the Vietnamese boat people and their journey to Canada as well as memorial walls highlighting the journey, the sponsors and all those who contributed to the re-settlement of Vietnamese refugees to Canada[viii]. This park serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made and the resilience of the Vietnamese people. It also symbolizes the gratitude of the Vietnamese community towards Canada for providing them with a new home.

Over the past years, two of the most notable individuals who made a profound impact on me and my community were Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar and Dr. Howard Adelman:

• Mayor Marion Dewar launched “Project 4000” in 1979, a groundbreaking initiative to mobilize citizens of Ottawa to sponsor and support 4,000 Vietnamese boat people[ix].
• Canadian academic and humanitarian Dr. Howard Adelman, founder of “Operation Lifeline,” led the largest operation that resulted in the rapid establishment of 66 chapters across Canada within eight days to mobilize private sponsorships[x].

When our Vietnamese community invited them to Calgary to honour their immense contributions, they shared their story with our youth, parents, and community builders. Their motivation to help the Vietnamese refugees was both simple and profound: a vision rooted in the deep conviction that we must live in a world where compassion extends to all of humanity, beyond borders. They believed there should be no division between "us" and "them," and that it is our shared duty to offer support to those in need whenever possible. I emerged from these heartfelt conversations with a renewed commitment to pay it forward, determined to help humans, regardless of their dimensions of diversity and life circumstances, to discover their peace, access their opportunities, and embrace the joy of making a life and a living free from oppression and exclusion.

Additional efforts to preserve the narratives of the Boat People are showcased on the Hearts of Freedom website[xi] and through compelling film documentaries[xii]. Locally, the Calgary Vietnamese Youth Association is gathering stories from three generations in our community, dedicated to documenting and archiving our shared journey during this 50^th anniversary year[xiii].

Over the years, the legacy of Canadians of Vietnamese heritage continues to flourish as new generations emerge, forging their identities and sense of belonging on Turtle Island. Their contributions are vast and impactful, from contributing to the economy in a myriad of professions, to building social inclusion by sponsoring refugees from Syria and Kosovo, fundraising for wildfire relief in Alberta, and crafting masks for frontline workers during the pandemic when vaccines and masks were scarce. Despite the historical adversities faced by our community, our spirit, like that of so many other immigrant and refugee communities throughout Canada, remains strong and resilient.

As Ryunosuke Satoro once said, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”[xiv] I have no doubt that ordinary people can do extraordinary things under a compelling vision. Thank you, Canada, for mobilizing and showing your leadership and humanitarian compassion in this chapter of our history. Such good lessons remind us to stay strong, inspire collective action during hard times, and pave the way for a future filled with hope, unity, and compassion.

 

References (click here to review the sources)

 

Tags CDNdiversity CCDI Diversity Inclusion Equity Accessibility DEI DEIA IDEA Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion