I had the incredible opportunity to volunteer with End Violence and Racism Against East and Southeast Asian Communities (EVR) this year, where I supported initiatives to promote community care and racial equity for East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK. One of the most memorable experiences was co-hosting a human library event earlier this month, collaborating with An Việt Archives and Centre 151. The event provided a platform for two “human books,” Jack Shieh OBE and Mark Tran, to share their personal experiences and reflections, shedding light on the histories of Vietnamese communities in the UK.

Being involved with EVR and On Your Side has been a transformative journey of learning, self-reflection, and community connection. As a migrant, I am deeply passionate about and connected to the cause of promoting racial equity and supporting East and Southeast Asian communities.

I must admit that before my involvement with EVR, I had limited knowledge about the vibrant Vietnamese community in Hackney, East London, and the history of Vietnamese refugees who settled in the UK via Hong Kong in the late 1970s. Through our research during event planning, I learnt more about the challenges that Vietnamese refugees faced during that time. The Thatcher government implemented a dispersal policy that resulted in their settlement and isolation in rural areas across the UK. This policy led to unemployment, isolation, and significant mental health burdens for the community. In addition to language barriers and other difficulties, they had to overcome numerous obstacles. Despite these challenges, the Vietnamese community managed to come together, with the Pho Mile on Kingsland Road in East London serving as a symbolic testament to their resilience (with more than ten Vietnamese restaurants and cafes).

We are all in it together! The experiences of the Vietnamese community in the past parallel the challenges faced by the Hong Konger community in the UK today. Whether people migrate voluntarily or due to other circumstances, moving to a foreign country can be culturally, physically, financially, and emotionally demanding. Rebuilding networks and support systems takes time and effort, but having a community makes this journey significantly easier. Kudos to all the amazing community organisations that support migrants and refugees, both in the past and present.

During the human library event, Mark shared a poignant anecdote about meeting relatives in the US and France, where they realised how they had assimilated into their host countries’ cultures and identities, and became so “American”, “British” and “French”. This is likely a shared experience for the Hong Kong diaspora as well. While we may adapt to the language and culture of our new homes, we never forget our roots and identity as Hong Kongers.