Everyone understands how much suffering the war causes, but Vietnamese refugee women are well aware of these pains. Whether grown up during war time or born afterwards, they were all victims of war and many of them still carry the smoldering pains for the rest of their lives, such pains that not many people could share.

Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, fell to the Communist forces of the North on April 30, 1975.  The new regime was harsh and repressive: supporters of the former government were stripped of their homes and possessions, prevented from holding a job or pursuing an education. Civilian and military officials of the South Vietnamese government were sent to force-labour camps, known as “re-education camps.”

The tense political situation, rapidly deteriorating living conditions, and human rights violations triggered a vast wave of emigration. Many South Vietnamese decided to leave by boat because they saw no future for their children. Over 1 million people took to unseaworthy makeshift vessels, hoping to be rescued when they reached international waters. But first they had to face huge risks: drowning, hunger, dehydration, attacks by pirates, rape, and even murder.

My goal is to tell the stories of the women of South Vietnam, both during and following the war. These lovers, wives, and mothers were forced to make tremendous sacrifices and suffered from tragic losses. It’s time to bring their lives into the spotlight.