I came across a website on Vietnamese boat people. It seems that Pulau Bidong, off the state of Terengganu, Malaysia housed many Vietnamese refugees for many years. This is a part of Malaysian modern history which is not well-taught off in our schools. From the websites that I've visited I've read many stories of horror as well as hope.

I just want to say that I think it is amazing and awe-inspiring how many people left their home to go set sail across the Gulf of Thailand or even further. Many seem to have done very very well abroad. Pulau Bidong is in a decrepit state right now; the old settlement buildings including church, shophouses and residential huts rotting away, but there has been talk of the govt turning it into a memorial for the spirit of the Vietnamese people.

As a young boyI remember our family driving by the Vietnamese settlement area near Sungei Besi on the way from KL to Malacca, and thinking that it is so unfair that people have to live in small surroundings since there was so much land and space to go around. But later I realised that not many would want to stay on in Malaysia but go to a richer third country. Still, I think a few Cham families decided to stay on and apply for Malaysian citizenship.

Does anyone have any opinion or stories to tell concerning Pulau Bidong?

I know friends of my family who was once took refuge in Pulau Bidong.
The mass exodus of people aka "boat people" is a sad chapter in our post-war history.
After the war 1975, many people took the high sea to other neighboring countries in search
of a better life. Many risked their life because they did not want to live under the oppressive
regime at the time. The living condition as I heard it was very aweful then (if you read the novel
"The Animal Farm" from George Orwell then you could imagine how these people live).
It was very obvious that the North was punishing the South after the war.
This could take a novel to bring to light.
People will do unthinkable things when their life and freedom is at stake.
It is either the high sea or the sea of oppression. The majority of the people left Vietnam by
the seaway that is why we was called the "boat people". Some instance, people took the road
through Thailand via Kampuchia. The seaway was either brought us to Hong Kong, Phillipine, Malaysia,
Thailand, and some case as far as Taiwan and Japan. Many was rescued by international
ships/liners. That is why Vietnamese are scattered all around the world to this day.
Unfortunately many die on the high sea as well because of the weather, starvation, and pirates.
There is no accurate account to how many left and how many make it.
Most (if not all) of the people that left was organized in a clandestine manner.
They are so many untold stories like those you may have read from the website.
The untold stories themselves are now oblivious like those of the unfortunate people.
I know that the world is almost forgotten stories like these. And so are most of us.
Or at least we try to put it behind us

The reason why the refugees left the country that we took refuged is because most of us are sponsored by our relatives in other countries. The majority was sponsored by USA. It would become a burden for the host country to prolong our stay. The international organiztions was also behind that forces too especially financial support.

Nicely summarized.

Thanks for the information guys. I was a boat person myself, too. Our boat sailed passed Hainan island, then to Macao, then to Hongkong, which was assisted by the Macao police.

lthv22, Dai_Viet, thanks so much for sharing. This is the first time I've heard of a first-hand account from someone with personal insight into what happened back then. I was afraid that some might misundertand my query as trying to stir up a controversy, but the truth as you so rightly said, not many folks(certainly of my age) at all know about these goings-on in our region which happened just a few decades ago. People my age in Malaysia (early 20s) have absolutely no inkling about what some of our neigbours in Indochina went through. I think it's very very ironic and wrong to learn about Vietnam from US movies, while only a few thousand miles of ocean separate Vietnam and Malaysia. I was both inspired and humbled by the articles and personal stories of those who spent time on Pulau Bidong and other temporary refuge.

Oh no, you shouldn't feel like stirring up controversy or anything like that. This is an AF discussion. We are here to learn from each other's culture as well as our own. I have to admit that a few of our members are very passionately about defending the Viet culture in this forum and I am very proud of them. Yet, sometime I felt that some was overreacting a bit and too hasty about thing. Nonetheless, I sincerely hope it was only for fun. But yes, please do not hesitate to ask us about anything. We are more friendly than some appear to be in here If you have a chance to visit Vietnam, you'll find it hard to leave this charming place, not so much because of the skyscappers or amnities (I can tell you that it is not) or but the warmth and the hospitality of the people. People will come to your aid in a heartbeat if you ever find yourself in a helpless situation.

I agree. Learning history through Hollywood is definitely a no-no.


Which refugee camp were you in? and what's the designated, sequential "boat number" typically assigned to refugee boat arrival ?

Hmm... I have no idea, I left when I was 7 years old, in 1991. So I think it's one of the last waves of Vietnamese refugees to Hongkong. I think I lived in Tai Á Châu camp, Hắc Linh Châu camp, and White Head camp. Or something like that.

Wow, it was fortunately of you to make it then. Cause I know that in the early '90s, the US and Vietnam has diplomatic relationship and so the first action items on the list of diplomatic agenda is to quickly resolve the problem with people seeking political asylum. It would be contradictory in tern of diplomacy between the two countries. I think you make it in the nick of time. I heard that lots of refugees was forced to go back around that time. Phewww, that was a close call man. I am glad you made it

Hehhee... thanks dude. Both of my uncles didn't make it, so they were forced back to Vietnam. Now that they're starting their own business, and my Mom tried bảo lảnh them here, but they said no, because they want to live their and watch over the family business, which is good for them. I personally think they should stay in Vietnam, since it's reforming a lot and Vietnam is getting better than 10 years ago.

Hongkong is a beautiful place, man, my family love Hongkong a lot! We traveled a lot in Hongkong, man, I wish I could go back there when I have time and money.

You defintely right about Vietnam being better than before. I witnessed the first hand account myself too when I was there this year for the New Year. Man, Đà nẵng has alot things going on. My brother in law is in the construction business. He's like what you called "nhà đấu thầu" or something like that. He's working on several projects through the countries. He's even travel in Europe and America too. My cousin is also an architect and also several of my relatives are also in the urban expansion business. They took me to some place and show me the master plan of the next 20 years for urban development in Đà Nẵng and the vicinity around Đà Nẵng too. Needless to say, I was shock and awe dude. The new city governor is very aggressive in term of investment. Things look very promising in Đà Nẵng. You know the construction of the Hãi Vân tunnel, it will be due at the end of this year. The street that run along the Sông Hàn and connect the Thanh Bình beach was also completed. My sisters took me for a drive along that street.
It was a sign for sore eyes.

Now you're making me nhớ quê hương à. Yeah, Da Nang is developing faster than any other cities in Vietnam, with the exeption of Sai Gon, Hai Phong, and Ha Noi. But from what you wrote above, I sure want to see Da Nang so much right now. My brother is going to visit Da Nang in about a month and he better take some good pictures of Da Nang.

Thanh Binh beach, hmm... sounds familiar. I know My Khe beach, and B-52 beach (??). LOL. I don't think it's B-52, but it's T-something.

LOL...man, it is TK-20, right next to Mỹ Khê beach. There are so many beaches now that I cannot remember them all. Now, you can go across the Sông Hàn bridge (yeah the one that can rotate on its axis) to access the closest beach (? forgot the name), then you can move down (south) along the TK-20, Mỹ Khê, and some others , then you reach the most untouched area of beaches called Non Nước beach and that is around the Ngữ Hành Sơn (Marble Mountains) or something.

By the way, biễn Thanh Bình, from where you live, I believe you would go toward Chợ Còn and go up (north) all the way until you reach the deadend. Didn't you go to the beaches in Danang? Danang is surround with water, it's hard to miss it dude.

Oh yeah. LOL. It's TK-20. LOL. Thanks. I think my cousins call that rotating bridge by Cầu Mới, because it's new. LOL. I don't know the official name though. But I guess it's Song Han bridge like you said it. Yeah, I usually go to Thanh Binh beach, and from what you said, yeah, you have to go into a chợ, then come out of it, then cross this railroad track, then another bridge, then the beach.

I love Non Nước beach, it's so beautiful and cool there, I still remember trying to walk from that beach to the 5 Marble Mountains (Ngũ Hành Sơn), but I quit at half way because it's way too long of a walk.




Where in Da Nang do you live again? Give me a site or a place that's popular in Da Nang, I might know it. I haven't been there since 2000.

Cheers man Some of the most welcoming ppl I've met on AF are Vietnamese members. In the real (cf cyber) world, I have many Singaporean, Bruneian and several Indonesian and Thai friends, but few friends from other ASEAN countries. Needless to say, I am very interested in amogst others, Vietnam and Cambodia. Malaysia has been and is a very peaceful country, and so I find it unsettling that such human tragedies can occur so close to home. But today I am gaining a better understanding of how certain issues can affect some of us while the rest of the world seem to be oblivious to our struggle.

No major skyline in Vietnam yet? There is no doubt in my mind that in the not too distant future, Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi will have skyscrapers to match and even beat the best of the region! And I look forward to that day. Many of you guys are in the States. I've been living (studying) in the UK for the last 7 years. Been to many European countries. Recently during the D-Day celebrations, France invited Germany to attend their memorial service. And these were once bitter enemies! We can't see ourselves as citizens of individual countries anymore. The European Union now consists of 25 countries. Everything is going regional. ASEAN has got to buck up. My plan of action? Get to know my neighbours better and let them get to know me. For Vietnam, I'll be visiting Hue, the Chu Chi tunnels, Ha Long Bay, the old Cham ruins. And from the sound of things, I might have to make a pit stop at Da Nang too! Again, thanks for sharing.

hmmm...popular places in Danang ? get with the program dude, every place in Đà Nẵng is popular no j/k ...you know where's "nhà đấu Nguyễn Trí Phương" ?
Okie, from the Đà Nẵng's airport, you drive to town through this big street named "Đông Tây" but renamed to like something "Nguyễn Văn Linh". Keep going until you hit the 5 ways street. Nhà đấu "Nguyễn Trí Phương" is on the ngã Năm.
Don't mistaken the other Ngã Năm which is where the hotel Phương Đông locate . It is the one close to nhà hát Trương Vương ... this is way up close to the street "Hoàng Diệu"
You heard of chùa Bát Nhã ??? chùa Bồ Đề ???

My fiance was a boat person, they drifted out, were picked up by a US ship, taken to Singapore for a few months, than to LA, and then relocated within the states when they were sponsored by a church.
It's quite a story and very emotional to listen too..
Jenny

Phew! You just passed me there. I am sorry, but I have no idea where those places are.



Thanks ông anh.

Yes, the world nowaday is in a fast moving pace. People are trying to catching up. If we fall behind, we'll be set back in progress and if we move too fast, we left behind lots of good things to mediate on. It's a tough world to live in my friend.

I definitely agree with you that we need to come to an understanding with our neighbors otherwise it's tough to get along. And I think that is why we have SEA games. The last time was hosted by Vietnam last year.

As for skyscappers and stuffs, I would rather see my people to have a better life and living condition and individual freedom than any other skyscrappers things. Those things are more important than the city outlook. Those can come as an effect and not a cause.

Cool! a trip to Vietnam. There is a Vietnamese saying...
"Đi một ngày đàn, học một sàn khôn"

Tough to explain but it's something like if you want to learn or acquire knowledge, it is better to go out in the real world situation even just for a day than a book can teach you a year or not...

Yeah if you get the chance to visit Danang, don't forget the beaches.
Hoi An is about 30 kilometers in the vicinity. You find lots of souvenirs there.

One thing you should know when shop. Always bargain. It's a game that you need to play with the vendors. It is not something you would consider offensive. But always keep your cool and never show anger. After all it is a market-bargaining.

If you visit Hue, don't miss the Hue Festival around mid June. It's a almost 2 weeks long. It's an international events that feature food, music, and other cultural things/events.

Last but not least, be prepare to eat! eat!...the food is absolute treat.

Good luck and have fun!

Okie...so much for the Danang geography lession.
You didn't seem like the one that would skip classes to roam the town would you? maybe you tell me what places in Danang you know or live then I can map it out easier.

LOL. Let's see here. I know the new bridge (that rotating bridge), Ngũ Hành Sơn, Chàm Museum, Notre Dame church (nhà thờ con Gà), chùa Diệu Pháp, Nhà Sách Đà Nẵng. And some beaches. That's it.