April 30th marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. That same week, a new exhibit titled “Vietnamese Narratives: A Story of Refuge and Resilience of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Vietnamese” opened at the Mississippi Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi, with grant support from the Mississippi Humanities Council.
The exhibit was conceived and created by Jennifer Le and Emma To, whose parents were among the Vietnamese families who fled a climate of fear and political uncertainty in their homeland after the war ended, hoping to find freedom and opportunity in the American South. It is the first permanent Vietnamese exhibit in Mississippi to honor and preserve the rich history, contributions and resilience of the Vietnamese American community along the Gulf Coast, particularly in the seafood industry. Through personal stories, artifacts, photographs and multimedia presentations, the exhibit provides an immersive educational experience, fostering cultural appreciation and historical understanding for visitors of all backgrounds.
The exhibit explores themes of migration, resilience, economic contributions, cultural preservation and intergenerational identity. By integrating oral histories and community artifacts, the exhibit presents a compelling narrative that captures the essence of the Vietnamese American experience in this region.
To engage the public and ensure broad community participation, To and Le have planned multiple opportunities for the community to engage with the exhibit and its stories, including:
- A storytelling and oral history kiosk featuring the recorded histories collected by the University of Southern Mississippi Oral History Program in which first-generation Vietnamese Americans share their personal journeys of migration, survival and adaptation. These recordings will be on kiosks with headphones as part of the museum’s permanent collection.
- Interactive workshops for local schools and community groups focusing on the history of Vietnamese migration to the Gulf Coast, the importance of oral histories and the role of the seafood industry in cultural and economic survival.
- Screenings of documentary films about Vietnamese American history, followed by panel discussions with historians, activists and community members who have lived through the experiences highlighted in the exhibit.
- Activities designed to connect younger generations with elders in the community, fostering deeper appreciation and understanding of their heritage through storytelling, cooking demonstrations and hands-on artifact preservation.
- A dedicated online platform that will serve as a virtual extension of the exhibit, featuring digital archives, recorded interviews and educational resources accessible to a global audience.
The exhibit will be on display at the Mississippi Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum in Biloxi through June 30, transitioning into a permanent exhibit beginning July 1. This exhibit will serve as a long-term resource for historical preservation, education and cultural representation. By establishing a permanent space within the Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum, the exhibit ensures the Vietnamese American narrative is recognized as an integral part of Gulf Coast history. Through this initiative, the Gulf Coast Vietnamese community now has a dedicated space to honor its past, celebrate its present and inspire future generations. “By sharing these narratives, we contribute to a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of American history,” says To.
For ongoing updates and stories about the exhibit, visit the Gulf Coast Vietnamese Narratives Facebook page and Instagram page.