RETURN TO HOMEPAGE

The Mirror is My Memory

"Each time we looked in the mirror, we could see that we had a different family, culture, language, country and ancestors that we belonged to, if only for a brief moment. Only some of us would feel that loss for a lifetime...despite new loves, family and lives. The community joins together to say 'Lest We Forget' for the memory of soldiers lost at war; all we say is 'Lest We Forget' for the many soldiers, mothers & fathers, grandparents, younger sisters, little brothers, cousins and others who were lost in the Vietnam War, and to those  who may have been our relatives. And for those who survived, we have not forgotten you and hope we too, are not forgotten." - Vietnamese War Orphan

Poem for Adopted Child

"Nor flesh of my flesh nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own, never forget for even a minute you did not grow under my heart, but in it" - Mother's words to her adopted child.

VAN, Mam Non and AVI in Chicago Aug.2000

Photo from Mam Non

AIM:

Adopted Vietnamese International (AVI) was launched in April 2000 on the 25th anniversary of end the Viet Nam War.  It is a volunteer network that is dedicated to all individuals who were adopted during the Viet Nam War period, from the final years of French colonial rule in the 1950s to the final days of the American War in April 1975 (which saw a mass-evacation of orphans in a project known as Operation Babylift).  

One of the main aims of AVI is to provide a range of resources and opportunities for adopted Vietnamese to explore their history and to share their unique insights on adoption with adoptive parents and birth parents, the wider trans-racial adoption community, younger generations of adopted Vietnamese, general members of the Vietnamese Diaspora and other cultural communities.  Since its launch almost ten years ago, the AVI network has offered a range of Internet intiatives, creative projects, adoptee events and research. 

STATUS:

AVI is a community network run on a voluntary basis.  All individuals in key roles are volunteers who were adopted from Viet Nam.

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COMMUNITY HISTORY:

Throughout modern history, a number of orphans Vietnamese orphans have migrated to Western nations for adoption, beginning as early as the 1950s during French occupation and throughout the Viet Nam War with America and its allies in the 1960s &1970s. Then, in the final months of the conflict, approximately 3000 Vietnamese more war orphans (mostly babies) were airlifted in a remarkable military and humanitarian project known as Operation Babylift with most adopted by families living overseas. Some were never adopted and placed into state care and foster situations.  Operation Babylift stands as a remarkable event in the Viet Nam War and the history of adoption from Viet Nam due to the extraordinary mass-evacuations it involved, and a tragic plane accident known as the C5-Galaxy Crash.

Adopted Vietnamese war orphans from these eras, including many survivors from the C5-Galaxy Crash, now reside today in countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Finland and France.  There is also a growing number who have chosen to return to live in Viet Nam. 

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SOME REFLECTIONS:

AVI has since grown in heart and nature from the input and inspiration of groups such as ICASN in Australia, Origines Vietnam in France, and Mam Non, The Vietnamese Adoptee Network and Operation Reunite in the USA.  There are also more recent groups such as Vietnam Orphans of War - Voices Today who continue to inspire. 

AVI sets out to offer one of the 'homes' away from home (and 'homeland') for adopted Vietnamese to get to know each other and exchange their ideas. All adopted Vietnamese including new emerging adopted Vietnamese groups in Australia and/or overseas are most welcome to promote their activities on the AVI web or egroup.

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DIALOGUES:

AVI also offers a place/space for adoptees to invite former Operation Babylift volunteers,overseas Vietnamese, adoptive parents, Viet Nam Veterans, war journalists and academics to come and get to know us on our own terms.  What is meant by this is that while we adoptees were once a quiet migration of orphaned infants and children, we are now speaking, knowledgeable and expressive young adults. Our experiences, as adoptees, are unusual and can provide new insights on matters relating to place, culture and identity -so we welcome two- way dialogues on these and a range of other interesting and timely subjects. This process of exchange has, and continues to be a constructive, supportive and overall, celebratory one. 

The adopted Vietnamese community defy rather than comply with easy labels.  

Our sense of history and identities can include a mixture of African American, First Nations,

Latino, White and various Asian heritages, alongside our Vietnamese heritage.  

In addition, our adoptive parents and siblings backgrounds include various nationalities and faiths. 

As a result, we defy traditional identity narratives. 

We do not fit mainstream notions of what is 'real' or 'authentic'.  

We are constructing new ways to feel proud of 

who we are beyond old borders - and are hopefully helping build a path for others who 

follow our more unusual but not unique life journey. 

As we continue on our life journey, we have sort fresh and wide collaborations. 

An additional sense of knowledge, love and strength has been found through a 

range of individuals and collectives, including people who are adopted from other

nations, Indigenous communities, as well as networking with general refugee, Asian and 

other cultural communities. 

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ACCESS:

please email Indigo at

adoptedvietnamese@hotmail.com

or send mail to Po Box 337, Mona Vale NSW 2103 Australia.

FACEBOOK GROUP

You can visit the AVI facebook group by searching for 'Adopted Vietnamese International'

E-GROUP AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION FORUM:

Currently there is an online yahoo e-group open to people who are adopted
from or interested in adoption from Vietnam. 

New members are encouraged to introduce themselves and their interests to
the group.

Membership is open to anyone interested in adopted Vietnamese war orphans (this includes adoptees, adoptive parents, birth parents and other interested parties).