HOF054: TRAN Van Dung

Even before the end of the war, Tran Van Dung’s extended family put together a plan to leave the country by boat—making them one of the first groups in Vietnam to use the small fishing vessels to flee for their freedom. Upon entering international waters, Tran and his fellow passengers saw dozens of commercial ships lined up in anticipation of an exodus by sea, but they were not allowed to board.

Continuing their journey, the crew discovered a breakdown in their boat’s pumping system and decided to turn back to Vietnam for repairs. When they encountered the flotilla of commercial vessels a second time, they learned that South Vietnam had fallen and they could now be rescued.