Ngoc-Tran Vu’s reflections on the fall of Saigon, a defining moment that closed the chapter on the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975, resonate deeply with her family’s journey.
For Vu, and many Vietnamese families in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood, this pivotal event is not just a piece of history; it is intertwined with their personal narratives.
In a commemoration of this significant milestone, hundreds are expected to gather at Boston College High School this weekend for four days of observances collectively known as “Black April.”
Vu, a visual artist and director of the “1975: A Vietnamese Diaspora Commemoration Initiative,” expressed, “It’s really momentous. It’s a chance for us to come together as an intergenerational community to honor the resiliency of the diaspora community.”
Her family, whose history is shaped by her father’s involvement in the war and subsequent imprisonment by the North Vietnamese, eventually made their way to the United States as refugees, settling in Boston in 1992.
According to reports, the Vietnamese population in Boston was nearly 53,700 by 2018, with Dorchester’s Little Saigon—centered in Fields Corner—serving as the heart of this community.
In Fields Corner, the Vietnamese presence is felt through bustling shops, including those offering bánh mì sandwiches that blend French and local flavors, as well as numerous noodle shops and seafood restaurants.
Further down Dorchester Avenue, a variety of businesses offer essential services like travel and finance, while doctors’, dentists’, and markets contribute to the area’s vibrancy.
Vu noted, “I think people know that there is a Vietnamese presence, but they don’t understand how large it is. It’s one of the biggest in New England. It’s definitely a dominant force in Dorchester.”
As part of efforts to preserve their heritage and commemorate their history, Dorchester’s Vietnamese community has sought permission from the city to establish a permanent memorial at Town Field Park on Park Street in Fields Corner.
With the park slated for renovation, Vu and her team are advocating for the memorial to be integrated into the plans.
In February, the group presented their case to the Dorchester Civic Association, as detailed in the local Dorchester Reporter newspaper.
To fund this initiative, they are selling commemorative bricks priced at $500, $1,000, and $2,000.
Vu reported that their petition has already amassed 1,000 signatures in support of the memorial, signaling significant community backing.
“We’re getting a lot of momentum and support for this,” remarked Linh-Phong Vu, one of the organizers, highlighting the project’s importance. “It’s not a fun project. It’s a memorial to remember. The community has been here for 50 years, and we don’t have a memorial for the Vietnamese diaspora community here. That’s an issue and a need and we’re looking forward to making this happen.”
Boston City Councilmember John FitzGerald, who represents Dorchester, also endorsed the memorial, calling it “a great idea.”
He acknowledged the significance of memorializing the Vietnamese diaspora and recognized their essential role in the community’s diversity.
Despite the enthusiasm, the project faces several bureaucratic and fundraising challenges.
According to FitzGerald, this includes finding an ideal site within the park’s planned renovations and securing the necessary funds for both planning and construction.
“What it represents is great, but it’s not cheap,” he emphasized, noting that overcoming these obstacles is essential to progress.
This weekend’s events kick off on Saturday at 3 p.m. at Boston College High School on Morrissey Boulevard.
Spectators can expect reflections from community leaders, elected officials, and cultural bearers on the significance of Black April, with the event also available for livestream viewing.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum will host a bilingual panel discussion along with a screening of “On Healing Land, Birds Perch,” which explores a harrowing image from the Vietnam War.
The film highlights the renowned photograph of South Vietnamese General Nguyễn Ngọc Loan executing Việt Cộng Captain Nguyễn Văn Lém in 1968, a stark representation of the war’s brutality.
On Tuesday, there will be flag-raising ceremonies in honor of the memorial at City Hall Plaza and at the Dorchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Organizers aim for these events to serve as solemn commemorations of lives lost and a testament to the enduring strength of Vietnamese refugees who have rebuilt their lives in Boston and beyond.
Vu emphasized that the memorial and weekend observances symbolize more than just a recognition of Vietnamese history.
“It’s not just a Vietnamese project, but an addition to the city’s landscape,” she said. “With Boston being a city of immigrants, we really wanted to honor that.”
image source from：https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/04/from-black-april-to-triumph-bostons-vietnamese-community-to-celebrate-itself-john-l-micek.html
