A Chinese girl in Vietnam

Born with both Chinese and Vietnamese heritage meant that I saw both sides of racial discrimination in Vietnam.

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<<Facts, pictures and videos related to the story – The Chinese in Vietnam with their influence and distinct culture.>>

My maternal grandfather is Chinese and my maternal grand other is Vietnamese. My father is Vietnamese too, so I only have a quarter of Chinese heritage in my blood.

Mum was Chinese educated. She speaks fluently Mandarin, Teochew, Cantonese and Vietnamese. I was Vietnamese educated, and I excel in Vietnamese but only learnt enough Cantonese from my neighbours to get by. My friends were all Vietnamese and no one knew that I have some Chinese heritage.

A Chinese girl in Vietnam poem

(Triolet-style poem)

<<Story related to the poem>>

The herbal medicine – sweet smell,
The Chinese songs lulled me to sleep.
My childhood memories now swell.
The herbal medicine – sweet! smell!
The home-sick Chinese tears fell,
The lonely guests in a host country.
The herbal medicine – sweet smell,
The Chinese songs lulled me to sleep!

Image credit
by manhhai.

Saigon’s Seasons in the Sun poem

(Rondel-style poem)

<<Story related to the poem>>

Goodbye to you, my trusted friend!
Together we climbed hills and trees,
We watched the stars, we felt the breeze,
Remember those songs we both penned?

A cock, a dog and a fly poem

(Couplet-style poem)

<<Story related to the poem>>

Comments about this post on ABC Open 500 words – First memory.

Words danced in my head,
Words longed to be spread.
Words flowed on the page,
Words streamed on the stage.
Words induced me to choose them,
Words jostled for space in my poem.

Image credit
by playerx.

Let’s Go Out for Supper!

My fatther was born in the year of the Pig. In Chinese zodiac, the Pig symbolises wealth and a good life. Rainy or dry, cool or hot, the kids in the family were always expecting and excited to hear my father say: “Let’s go out for supper!”

Comments about this post on ABC Open 500 words – Family rituals.

My father was born in the year of the Pig. In Chinese zodiac, the Pig symbolises wealth and a good life. My father would often tell us: “Let’s go out for supper!” and we kids would jump with joy at hearing it.