Woman finds a difficult life in Vietnam, finds a better life in Philadelphia!

Language: Vietnamese
Translated by: Loc Tran
Interviewee: Sau Thi Nguyen
Interviewer: Loc Tran
Relationship: Mother - Son
Date: May 2002
Click on picture for full size

What is your full name?

My name is Nguyen thi, Sau.

What is your nationality?

I am Vietnamese.

What is your date of birth?

I am born December 31, 1961.

Where were you born?

I was born at Binh Dinh, Vietnam.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I came over Philadelphia in November 24, 1990.

Why did you leave Vietnam?

Because my husband has mixed American ethnic so he can go back to his country do so I followed my husband to America.

Anything you like or dislike about Vietnam?

Because Vietnam is where my mom and dad gave birth to me and raised me so everything of Vietnam, I like.

Why did you chose to come to America?

Because going to America was unexpected to my family so I had no other choice to go anywhere else.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

Because my husband has mixed American ethnic, I had the chance to go by plane to America.

How did you find a place to live in Philadelphia?

Because a place to live in Philadelphia... in the city of Philadelphia, I got help from the USCC organization.

Who did you come to America with?

I came over America with my husband and five children of mine's.

Give one memory of Vietnam you remember the most and why?

In my memories, I remember my family (back in Vietnam) the most because I have been apart from my family for many years.

How did your ways of life change when you left Vietnam and what is the differences between America and Vietnam?

To me, the ways of life from Vietnam to America... I see the ways of life in America is more comfortable and more freedom than Vietnam. With America, it's very different because in America, earning money worth more value than Vietnam.

What did you think America would be like?

To my thinking, in America would be a great place for my family. My husband will have a job and my children learn to be better people.

Why did you come to America and what do you think you still need to do?

The reason I want to come to America is find a life for my family because life in Vietnam was difficult so I always dream of coming to America. I want to find a life and future for my family. I want to own a store that belongs to me so I can take care of my family (In U.S. and Vietnam).

Since the day you come to America to the present, is there anything different?

When I came over America, my family has faced many problems but now everything has settle down. Jobs and ways of life can be said ok, that is why I brought a house to live in.

When you come to America, what did you left behind?

When I came to America, I left behind my mom, dad, siblings, and relatives.

Coming to America, was there any obstacles you had to face?

When I'm about to come to America, I was very nervous because I was pregnant for six months. I was afraid I can not go.

When you come to America, how much money you had and where did you get the money?

When I left Vietnam to America, I had no money but when I got to America, Welfare helped me with my financial needs for everyday life.

How did you live in a foreign place with foreign peoples?

Because the foreign people that live next to me are very nice so I seem to like them and the place I am living.

Why did you think leaving Vietnam and your family is a good thing?

Because I think I have to leave Vietnam so I can have the opportunity to help my family in Vietnam and their life in Vietnam. If I stayed in Vietnam, I have no opportunity to help Vietnam so I left Vietnam.

What grade did you got up yo before you come to America?

In Vietnam, I learned up to 5th grade but when I got to America, I didn't go to school.

Do you [ever] regret leaving Vietnam? Why or why not?

No. I don't regret leaving Vietnam. Because the life in Vietnam is very difficult for me but when I got to America, I am very comfortable. Because in America, it is more comfortable than Vietnam.

Is there anything that will make you go back to Vietnam?

Yes, because Vietnam is my responsibility to visit my parents and relatives in Vietnam.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have a job, who gave you get money?

When I first come to America, I did not have a job. I just stay home and take care of the cooking for my husband and my children; children goes to school and husband goes to work. So I got help from Welfare for my financial needs.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

In addition, the life in Vietnam and America is very different because the life in Vietnam, talking about money, is difficult, and life talking about love (from families) is enough, and materials are insufficient. In America, materials are sufficient but has a lack of love because coming here, there are only my husband and children, no relatives in America so there is a big lack of love.