KQED's Forum Viet Thanh Nguyen on the Lasting Impact of the Vietnam War 50 Years Later
Apr 10, 2025
Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and USC professor, shares his journey as a refugee from Vietnam and the ongoing impact of the Vietnam War. He reflects on the trauma experienced by individuals and communities, emphasizing the resilience of the Vietnamese diaspora. Nguyen discusses lessons from the past, the cyclical nature of history, and the artistic legacy shaped by these experiences. His latest essay collection explores the role of artists in political discourse, shedding light on identity and cultural heritage.
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Rebuilding Community
- Vietnamese refugees in San Jose rebuilt community institutions, including churches and businesses.
- Nguyen's parents' grocery store, Saigon Mud, became a community hub.
Hope of Return
- Some Vietnamese refugees held onto the hope of returning to Vietnam and reclaiming their country.
- Nguyen recalls seeing men in camouflage uniforms at community events, raising funds for a potential return.
War's Unending Impact
- For Vietnamese refugees, the Vietnam War's end wasn't truly an end, as their families and homeland remained.
- The porousness of the war's ending is highlighted in Nguyen's story 'War Years'.
