Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives: A Story of Refuge and Resilience of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Vietnamese

Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives: Honoring a Legacy at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum

The Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives project seeks to establish the first permanent Vietnamese exhibit at the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi. This exhibit will honor and preserve the rich history, contributions, and resilience of the Vietnamese American community along the Gulf Coast, particularly in the seafood industry. By sharing personal stories, artifacts, photographs, and multimedia presentations, this exhibit will provide an immersive educational experience, fostering cultural appreciation and historical understanding for visitors of all backgrounds.

The project highlights the journey of Vietnamese refugees who settled along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, rebuilding their lives through the seafood industry. This exhibit will explore themes of migration, resilience, economic contributions, cultural preservation, and intergenerational identity. By integrating oral histories and community artifacts, we aim to create a compelling narrative that captures the essence of the Vietnamese American experience in this region.

A launch and reception will be held on April 30, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. This free-admission event will include:

• A showcase of local photographers who captured images of Vietnamese refugee communities.
• Former residents of East Biloxi, now adults, revisiting their childhood photos featured in the exhibit.
• Traditional cultural food offerings.
• A dragon dance performance outside the museum.
• A cultural speaker discussing the Vietnamese American journey and contributions to the Gulf Coast.