Vietnamese Migrants in Australia and the Global Digital Diaspora: Histories of Childhood, Forced Migration, and Belonging

This book explores the memories of forced migrant childhoods and histories, as well as the complexities of national and transnational identity and belonging, through oral histories, memoirs, and Facebook posts of Vietnamese adults who entered Australia as children after the Vietnam War. It utilizes Facebook as a digital archive for historical research, presenting new methods for studying the impact of war and displacement on memories of childhood. It is a contemporary digital diaspora study of Vietnamese forced child migrants, making a significant contribution to the discourse on transnational childhood, migration, and belonging for refugees and migrants in the twenty-first century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of memories and experiences of Vietnamese adults who arrived in Australia as children after the Vietnam War, encompassing a diverse range of narratives such as oral histories, memoirs, and Facebook posts. Through these diverse sources, the author offers a profound insight into the intricate tapestry of forced migrant childhoods, histories, and the complex dynamics of national and transnational identity and belonging in the digital diaspora.

As war and displacement exacerbate the urgent need for fostering communities and preserving cultural heritage, this book emerges as a historical account of childhood and migration for the Vietnamese diaspora in Australia, encompassing refugees, adoptees, and the second generation. It explores the profound connections between these individuals and their broader global and digital community. By utilizing Facebook as a digital archive for historical research, Vietnamese Migrants in Australia and the Global Digital Diaspora pioneers innovative approaches to studying what Nguyen Austen identifies as a new and exciting field of digital diaspora studies. This interdisciplinary endeavor delves into the intricate interplay between real and digital lives, offering valuable insights into the humanities and social sciences.

As a contemporary study of Vietnamese forced child migrants from 1975 to the present, this book employs a mixed-methods historical analysis to examine the profound impact of war and displacement on the memories of childhood. Through a comprehensive examination of various sources, the author weaves a rich and nuanced narrative that sheds light on the lives of these resilient individuals and their enduring quest for belonging and identity.

In conclusion, this captivating book offers a profound exploration of the memories, experiences, and complexities of forced migrant childhoods and histories within the Vietnamese diaspora. By leveraging diverse narratives and innovative research methods, it contributes significantly to our understanding of transnational childhood, migration, and belonging for refugees and migrants in the twenty-first century. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367770549