Adoptees return to Vietnam with DNA kits in desperate search for family | Australian Story

Key Concepts:

• Operation Babylift: Humanitarian effort to rescue Vietnamese orphans at the end of the Vietnam War.
• Adoptees' Search for Origins: The journey of Vietnamese adoptees searching for their birth families and identity.
• DNA Testing: Utilizing DNA analysis to connect adoptees with potential relatives.
• Vietnam Family Search: A non-profit organization run by adoptees to facilitate safe and reliable family searches.
• Identity and Belonging: The complex feelings of identity, loss, and connection experienced by adoptees.

1. Personal Journey and Motivation

• The speaker, Sue, is a Vietnamese adoptee who arrived in Australia in May 1974.
• Sue expresses a lifelong struggle with identity and a recurring fear that her biological parents might be searching for her.
• She feels a sense of urgency to find her birth family as she and her adoptive parents are aging.
• Sue's motivation stems from a desire to fill the void around her identity, a feeling present since childhood.
• The birth of her daughter prompted her to actively seek her origins.
• Quote: "The question of who I am has definitely dominated my life."

2. Operation Babylift and Early Life

• The Vietnam War ended 50 years ago, leading to Operation Babylift, which rescued approximately 3,000 children.
• Sue was among the first few hundred children adopted into Australia before Operation Babylift.
• Her adoptive parents, Marlene and Richard, were motivated by the plight of Vietnamese orphans, of which there were over a million.
• Growing up, Sue felt integrated into her adoptive family but was conscious of how the world perceived her.
• The death of her adoptive father when she was nine was a traumatic experience, triggering feelings of abandonment.

3. Initial Search Efforts and Discoveries

• Sue obtained her Vietnamese passport, which stated her birth name as Luu Thi Van.
• A translation of her Registry of Birth revealed her mother's name as Luu Thi Han.
• Her first trip back to Vietnam in 2001 was overwhelming, filled with sensory overload and a desire to find familiar faces.
• She visited the maternity hospital where she was born and met Sister Marie Vincent, who provided guidance.
• Sue obtained a copy of her original birth certificate, which included her mother's residential address, but the location had become a sprawling metropolis.
• She visited the Sancta Maria orphanage, feeling an instant connection but also sadness for those who remained there.

4. Meeting Graham and Confronting Trauma

• Sue had hesitated to engage with Vietnam veterans due to concerns about triggering their trauma.
• She met Graham, a Vietnam veteran who lost his legs in the war, and found encouragement and support.
• Graham's experience of returning to Vietnam inspired Sue to approach her search with confidence.

5. Vietnam Family Search and Addressing Challenges

• Sue and My Huong, another adoptee, established Vietnam Family Search as a non-profit organization run by adoptees.
• The organization aimed to create a safe and reliable system for adoptees and birth mothers to connect.
• They became aware of individuals exploiting adoptees and birth mothers, including faking DNA test results.
• My Huong's story highlights the need for caution and verification in the search process.

6. My Huong's Experience and the Importance of DNA Testing

• My Huong was reunited with her family after returning to her childhood area and being recognized by a friend and her mother.
• Years later, My Huong discovered that the woman she had lived with for 14 years was not her biological mother.
• She was eventually reunited with her real mother after a DNA test confirmed a 99.999% match.

7. Sue's DNA Journey and Discoveries

• Sue initially hesitated to take a DNA test due to fear of the unknown.
• After encouragement from a friend, she took a DNA test, which revealed she was 100% Vietnamese.
• A few months later, she received a DNA match with a potential second cousin, marking the first sign of a blood relative in 50 years.

8. The Bike Ride Through the Mekong Delta

• Sue organized a bike ride through the Mekong Delta with a group of 13 adoptees and their support people.
• The goal was to raise awareness and encourage Vietnamese mothers to come forward for DNA testing.
• They brought 200 DNA kits to distribute in provinces with many orphanages in the 1970s.
• The group met with local communities and leaders, who welcomed them back to Vietnam.
• Although no one came forward during the initial meetings, 20-25 mothers requested DNA kits within 24 hours of their departure.

9. Emotional Impact and Community Bonding

• The bike ride solidified the group as a bonded community, providing mutual support and understanding.
• Participants shared stories and experiences, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
• The journey was emotionally challenging but ultimately rewarding, fostering a sense of pride and connection.

10. Conclusion

• The search for identity and family is a complex and emotional journey for Vietnamese adoptees.
• DNA testing and community support play crucial roles in facilitating connections and providing a sense of belonging.
• Vietnam Family Search aims to create a safe and reliable system for adoptees and birth mothers to reunite.
• The bike ride through the Mekong Delta raised awareness and encouraged Vietnamese mothers to participate in DNA testing, offering hope for future reunions.
• Quote: "It's like a tree with roots. I finally found that I was not so lopsided."