Skip to Main Content

Recommended Reading

These lists feature curated Lauinger Library materials.

Vietnam in Pages: War, History, and Identity

The Recommended Readings for August and September highlight 2025 Marino Project author Kim Thuy, whose writing blends personal memory with historical reflection, often focusing on the Vietnamese diaspora and the resilience of refugees.
Several of Thuy’s representative works, such as Ru and Vi are highlighted. Other works recommended here provide background history of Vietnam War, personal memories as refugees and rich cultural and ethnic heritage of Vietnamese American diaspora.
The Vietnam War, which lasted from the mid-1950s to 1975, was a deeply complex and devastating conflict that reshaped Southeast Asia and global geopolitics. Rooted in Cold War tensions, the war pitted communist North Vietnam against U.S.-backed South Vietnam, resulting in immense human loss, environmental destruction, and social upheaval.
In the aftermath of the war, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fled their homeland, seeking refuge across the globe. Known as the “boat people,” many escaped by sea under perilous conditions, eventually resettling in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and France. These refugees carried with them stories of trauma, resilience, and cultural memory. Their experiences have shaped vibrant diasporic communities and contributed to a broader understanding of displacement, survival, and the enduring impact of war.
The Vietnamese American diaspora emerged from the waves of refugees who resettled in the United States after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Over time, these communities have grown into dynamic cultural enclaves, blending traditional Vietnamese heritage with American life. From Little Saigon in California to vibrant neighborhoods in Texas and Virginia, Vietnamese Americans have made significant contributions to the arts, cuisine, business, and civic life.

Books on Display

Creative Commons   This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License. | Details of our policy