Advocating for refugee rights and reconnecting with family roots, with Linh Hoang

Hello, and sorry it's been a while updating The ESEA Echo - I've been extremely busy, but all will be revealed shortly! Also, apologies if you're reading this and wondered why we haven't got round to doing yours yet... We will, I promise, but I haven't even edited the interview with my dad yet so please bear with me!

Anyway, here is one that has also been in the pipeline for a while - an interview with my friend, Linh Hoang , whose family history I was really fascinated to learn about. Born to once Vietnamese refugees who came to the UK in the 80s and 90s, Linh talked to me about how the plight of many Vietnamese people fleeing the Vietnam War and finding routes to other countries has helped shaped her work and her outlook, how she continues to stay connected to her roots (by the way, "Roots/Routes" is this year's ESEA Heritage Month theme so thought I'd cleverly weave that in there!), and a bit more about her family's experiences when they first arrived in the UK.

1. Tell me a bit about yourself and your background.

I'm the eldest of three, and the only daughter to Vietnamese immigrant parents – which certainly has its own unique challenges and experiences. I am the first person in my family to attend University, graduating with a degree in Law, and the first to work in the corporate sphere.

Currently, I work as a Corporate Responsibility Officer at Fieldfisher LLP, based in Manchester. Besides supporting Fieldfisher's wider corporate responsibility and sustainability (CRS), I project manage several programmes and partnerships, including our local Manchester charity partnership and pro bono work with Kids in Need of Defense UK .

On a more personal note, I've been told that if I was a flower, I'd be a sunflower. If I was a colour, I'd be a soft yellow!?

2. How has your family’s history of coming to the UK inspired you to advocate for refugees/refugee rights?

My family's history and former refugee identity have been instrumental in my advocating for positive societal change, particularly in advancing refugee rights. Both my parents fled during and in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. They both arrived in Hong Kong as their first country of safety – my Dad in 1983, and Mum in 1989. My parents and their family subsequently resettled in the UK – my Dad arriving on 10th September 1987, my Mum on 5th June 1995.

During the first Covid-19 lockdown, my Dad's family discovered a documentary called 'The Camp of Lantau', directed by André Singer OBE (see above). It follows the moment they stepped off the boat and their processing in the refugee camp. Growing up, I heard stories about their time in Vietnam and Hong Kong, but to watch it was an entirely different experience - one that I cannot describe with words. I saw family members who had passed before I was born, and watched my Dad at 15 years old go through something incredibly challenging. Having spoken to Mr André Singer, he let me know that the United Nations commissioned the film and it subsequently changed the way refugees were supported.

I am the result of my ancestor's hopes, dreams, and resilience. Knowing this, how can I not advocate for refugee rights?

3. What were your parents and other family members’ perceptions of the UK when they first arrived?

"The roofs are red and brown. It's so green."

This was my Dad's thought as his plane began descending onto UK soil. Something about his answer made me pause. A few words packed with so many emotions. Longing, heartache, and closure for the life, culture and people he knew. Relief, hope, happiness for a chance to start a new life.

4. Did they experience discrimination and if so what was it like for them back then compared to now?

Yes, when my Dad first came to the UK, he was an off-licence owner. People would walk in, take one look at him and ask, "Am I in the wrong shop?" before walking out. The stereotype is that ESEA people were takeaway owners. People would also tell him to "Go back to your own country".

My Mum had less to share about her experience of discrimination. I think it's because back then, she didn't understand what constituted as discrimination. Nowadays, they tell me that they experience less or no discrimination. I think it's because any racism they may experience is covert, therefore they may not know they're being discriminated against.

5. Many of your extended family have settled in the UK and also set up businesses. What have their experiences been like and did they face any barriers?

The main barrier they faced was language, and this still remains a barrier, particularly amongst the older generation. Customer experience may not be what people expect, or conversations may be quite direct and forward due to either mistranslation or misinterpretation.

The most prevalent barrier with current businesses are around the perception of Vietnamese-owned nail salons, and a small percentage of clients taking advantage of nail technicians to avoid paying. These are the few experiences I've heard from extended family, which is frustrating as Vietnamese-owned nail salons work just as hard as anyone else.

Linh also told me an interesting origin story about Vietnamese nail salons, which should definitely be looked up and may hopefully be discussed here one day!

6. How do you keep in touch with your family and cultural heritage and roots?

As a family, we celebrate significant cultural events and observe traditional Vietnamese customs. My family often comes together to pray and eat at-home banquets on the death anniversary of family members. We celebrate the first month of a baby (also known as a one-month party). Historically, due to high mortality rates, if a baby survived to one month old, it was believed that they would survive into adulthood. Now, it's become a custom of celebration and a nice excuse to come together and have a party. Weddings and engagements also give us an opportunity to practise traditional customs, such as presenting the bride's family with gifts.

Language is incredibly important to me. I can't say I'm the most proficient in speaking Vietnamese but it's enough to converse with my 96 year old Grandmother, and other elders. I have yet to visit Vietnam as an adult and I cannot wait to go back and reconnect with my Motherland. I'd love to expand my CRS work into Vietnam one day.

7. Does your and your family’s experiences influence your role at Fieldfisher?

Yes absolutely. With my community/social impact work at Fieldfisher, I try to ensure we holistically support and collaborate with our partnering organisations, learning from their experiences to create a CSR programme that fulfils the need of the community. Now, working within corporate responsibility, it is my ambition to continue supporting refugees and asylum seekers in alternative ways at Fieldfisher, or to advocate, support organisations, and contribute to projects outside of Fieldfisher.

CSR is a broad sector with varying responsibilities and with aspects across the ESG sphere.? Inclusion and Diversity (I&D) falls outside of my day job at Fieldfisher, but that doesn't stop me from getting involved with I&D in and outside of Fieldfisher. I consider myself a lifelong student, so no matter the topic (whether it be CRS, refugee rights, or I&D), I still have a lot to learn, and will endeavour to do so.

There are an estimated 55,000 to 100,000 people of Vietnamese descent in the UK, with the largest communities in some areas of London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester.