A commentary by a Victoria resident.

April 30, 1975, to April 30, 2025. Fifty years have passed since the day I fled Saigon, leaving behind my homeland, my family, my culture, and everything I had known.

I arrived in Canada as a refugee, seeking safety and a new beginning. Looking back, I am filled with both sorrow and gratitude.

Canada embraced me with kindness, offering asylum and, later, citizenship. From the moment I set foot in this land, I worked hard to build a life, adapting to Western culture, learning its political structure, and striving to integrate into Canadian society.

With a background in mechanical engineering from Vietnam, I was fortunate to find a full-time job just one month after arriving in Ottawa, earning $3.95 an hour — a good salary at the time.

I considered myself lucky compared to many other new immigrants who struggled to find work.

Yet, the greatest hardship was the overwhelming........

© Times Colonist