Return to Vietnam: An Oral History of American and Australian Veterans' Journeys

American and Australian Vietnam War veterans returned to Vietnam between 1981 and 2016 in search of resolution, peace, and shifting nostalgic visions of the country. Their returns were shaped by different national war narratives, and they met former enemies, visited battlefields, mourned friends, found new relationships, and addressed enduring legacies of war. Witnessing Vietnam at peace challenged their wartime connection to Vietnamese spaces, but they drew from wartime narratives to negotiate this displacement, performing nostalgic practices to reclaim their sense of belonging.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 289 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Between 1981 and 2016, a significant number of American and Australian Vietnam War veterans made the journey back to Vietnam. This comparative, transnational oral history presents the first historical exploration of these return journeys. It sheds light on how these veterans embarked on their travels in search of resolution, peace, and a sense of closure, manifesting in shifting nostalgic visions of their time in Vietnam.

The return experiences of these veterans were influenced by distinct national war narratives. For Australians, the journey closely followed the tradition of the Anzac pilgrimage, where they sought to honor the sacrifices made by their military ancestors. In contrast, for Americans, the return was an act of anti-war protest and a means to confront the atrocities of the war.

Upon their return, veterans had the opportunity to meet former enemies, revisit battlefields, pay their respects to fallen comrades, form new relationships, and confront the enduring legacies of war. Many found that witnessing the peaceful reality of Vietnam eased their memories of the conflict. However, this newfound peace also challenged their wartime connections to Vietnamese spaces. The place they yearned for was Vietnam, a cherished space in their war memories, rather than the country itself.

To navigate this displacement, veterans drew upon their wartime narratives to negotiate their sense of belonging. They engaged in nostalgic practices, such as visiting memorials, listening to war stories, and reconnecting with local communities, to reclaim a sense of connection to the place they once called home. These practices served as a means to bridge the gap between their wartime experiences and the present-day reality of Vietnam.

Through their return journeys, American and Australian Vietnam War veterans explored the complexities of memory, identity, and reconciliation. Their stories offer valuable insights into the enduring impact of war on individuals and communities, as well as the ways in which veterans navigate the challenges of returning to a place that holds a profound emotional significance.

Weight: 424g
Dimension: 150 x 229 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108972666