Money from US transforms traditional Vietnamese village
AN BANG, Vietnam — An Bang is a fishing village approximately 25 miles outside of Hue. After the end of the American (Vietnam) War, the villagers, as in other places in what was then South Vietnam, attempted to flee. Anecdotal figures suggest one in four villagers was successful. Of these, most took up residence in the United States.
Thirty-five years later, the money sent back from these Viet Kieu, or Vietnamese abroad, has transformed the village. Dramatic shrines to ancestors dominate the landscape and massive mansions have displaced shacks.
Despite the apparently normal exterior of the village (extravagant shrines aside), An Bang is no longer an average fishing village. The influx of wealth from the U.S. allows villagers to live off their American relatives without actually working — for example, much of the fishing is done for fun, not as a livelihood.
The new money has not created new jobs, though. Instead, people drink, pray and hang out in the markets. The lack of opportunity has led to an exodus of young people to the cities and away from Vietnam.
This photo story looks at the village and its people, both current residents and visitors from abroad.
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.