Social & Historical Context
SAIGON
Saigon was the largest city in all of Vietnam and was the leader in fighting against the attack of communism. On April 30, 1975 Saigon fell to the control of communism. The leader of the communists was Ho Chi Minh and he later renamed Saigon to become Ho Chi Minh city.
Saigon was the largest city in all of Vietnam and was the leader in fighting against the attack of communism. On April 30, 1975 Saigon fell to the control of communism. The leader of the communists was Ho Chi Minh and he later renamed Saigon to become Ho Chi Minh city.
USS KIRK
In "Last Respects" Ha shares that "South Vietnam no longer exists." While they were on the ship, the captain lowered the South Vietnamese flag. According to an author named Herman, the only ship that lowered the yellow and red flag was the USS Kirk. Since Ha remembers this event happening, historians believe that their family had to travel on this boat. |
THE "BOATPEOPLE"
In the novel, Ha talks about her journey from Saigon to America in part two of the book, "At Sea." Her family went through a lot of hard times on their journey with limited food and cramped space, but Ha is not very proud of her journey. Ha is "almost embarrassed to say it." There were people who left South Vietnam after Ha did and they didn't have the protection of the United States like she did, where they had to endure a lot worst travel conditions. |
It's Survival Time!
Against All Odds
You are living in a country like Ha and her family during a time of war and conflict. You need to escape, but will you be able to survive? Test yourself with Against All Odds.
You are living in a country like Ha and her family during a time of war and conflict. You need to escape, but will you be able to survive? Test yourself with Against All Odds.
- Digital Image. Rarely seen photos: When Camp Pendleton Marines welcomed wave of Vietnamese refugees. NamViet. Web. 5 Sept 2015. <https://namvietnews.wordpress.com/40th-anniversary-of-the-fall-of-saigon/rarely-seen-photos-when-camp-pendleton-marines-welcomed-wave-of-vietnamese-refugees/>
- Digital Image. My Parent's Immigrant Story. GQ Trippin. Web. 5 Sept 2015. <http://gqtrippin.com/asia/vietnam/parents-immigrant-story/>
- Digital Image. USS Kirk. Hull Number. Web. 5 Sept 2015. <http://www.hullnumber.com/FF-1087>
- Shapiro, Joseph. "Book Award Winner's Tale Echoes Those Told By Other Vietnamese Refugees." The Two-Way: Breaking News from NPR (29 Nov 2011). Web. 5 Sept 2015.