The Vietnamese Americans

After an overview of Vietnam, culminating in a brief history of U.S. involvement there, the U.S. Government policies on Vietnamese immigration and the eventual resettling of the refugees themselves in more hospitable climates, such as in California, are detailed. Do describes how early immigrants paved the way for later ones with the building of ethnic communities. Crucial issues in the Vietnamese American community, such as mental health and gang activity, are highlighted. An important chapter on employment and education trends reveals a precarious position on the ladder to success. These immigrants' impact on the larger society is explained with descriptions of two important festivals, Vietnamese restaurants, the Little Saigon enclaves, and political participation, including some pressure on the government to influence events in Vietnam. A concluding chapter addresses the future of the Vietnamese American community, assessing the model minority myth, economic survival, cultural preservation, political agenda, and problem generations and community development.