Voyage to Freedom Transcript

[Lively music]

Narrator: Vietnam, 1978, a country still reeling from war and where communist government forces are making life unsafe. Many people fear for their lives and yearn for a safe place to call home.

Lý Phuong: Dad! Don’t pull so hard, I’m going to drop my doll!

Lý Sang: Phuong, we must go right now!

Phuong: But why?

Lý Sang: I told you... our village isn’t safe anymore and it’s going to get worse.

Phuong: Oh, okay.

Narrator: The father and daughter walk cautiously through the jungle. Suddenly they hear a sound. [Crack!] Through the trees they glimpse communist government soldiers.

Lý Sang whispers: Shhh, we have to be very quiet... Now! Run for it!

Narrator: They meet a boat captain who is willing to smuggle them out of the country.  

Lý Sang: Do we have enough money and supplies for the trip?

Boat captain: We have as much as we could get.

[Boat motor chugs away]

Narrator: After a couple tough days at sea, the refugees are adrift.

Lý Sang: Is there enough food? We’ve eaten half of it already.

Captain: I’m not sure, and the gasoline is running out faster than I had hoped.

[Horn blares in the distance]

Lý Sang: Perhaps they can help us! Oh no, pirates!

Pirate: Well, look what we found! Give us everything — we won’t ask twice.

Lý Sang: No! We will die without that food. Dugh... Ahh...

[Splash]

Phuong: Dad! No! Let me help you — are you okay? Dad!

[Coughing]

Lý Sang: I’m okay.

Pirate: No one else move!

Narrator: The pirates load the refugees remaining supplies and possessions into their boat before speeding away.

Lý Sang: This is bad and it’s only going to get worse.

[Sounds of thunder and hard rain]

Phuong: I’m cold.

Lý Sang: Try to stay close to me.

[Sounds of thunder and hard rain continue]

[Horn blares]

Lý Sang: Oh no, the pirates are back or maybe...

Crewman: Hey there! Do you need help?

[Cheering]

Narrator: The refugees are taken to a processing centre in the Philippines. They hope to make a new life in a new country, but 10 months later, they’re still waiting.

Lý Sang: We have to be patient Phuong. I’m sure one of the other countries will accept us.

Phuong: I know that. I just hope it’s soon.

Lý Sang: Others have been waiting even longer. It will be our turn... eventually.

Immigration officer 1: Excuse me, are you Lý Sang?

Lý Sang: Yes, I am.

Immigration officer 1: Follow me.

Lý Sang: Phuong, come along!

Immigration officer 1: Here we are.

Immigration officer 2: Lý Sang... 

Lý Sang: Yes?

Immigration officer 2: We have reviewed your application and I’m happy to say Canada has accepted you.

Lý Sang: Really? I can’t thank you enough!

Immigration officer 2: And you must be Phuong. You know, I have a daughter about your age. I was going to bring her this, but I think you should have it.

Phuong: It isn’t as soft as my doll, but I love it!

Narrator: Between 1975 and 1985, Canada welcomed more than 100,000 refugees from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Many, like the family we imagined for this story, fled on boats. Others escaped by land.

All faced danger on their journeys but their strength and courage got them through. Together, with the generosity of the Canadian people, their experience has become an important part of Canada’s story.

For nearly 50 years, the refugees and their descendants have been contributing to their communities and to Canada.

[Lively music]