I learned a lot about how to survive

When Thao Nguyen was born in Vietnam, she was seen as an outsider. The daughter of a Vietnamese woman and an African-American soldier, she was considered  an American in her own country. When she immigrated to the United States in the 1990s, it offered a promise of belonging and a fresh start. But on a summer day in Oregon, her life took a turn she could have never imagined. This episode of Many Roads to Here traces Thao’s powerful journey—one shaped by resilience, identity, and a search for home. Many Roads to Here is a production of The Immigrant Story. This episode was produced and edited by Kate Mishkin, with post-production by Gregg Palmer. The original interview was conducted by Sankar Raman in the fall of 2024 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, Oregon. Released on the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, this story is part of a special series highlighting the voices and experiences of Asian Americans. It was made possible through the generous support of Anne Naito-Campbell and the Oregon Rises Above Hate coalition. Learn more at: oregonrisesabovehate.com For more stories, visit theimmigrantstory.org/manyroads, tune in at prp.fm, or stream Many Roads to Here wherever you get your podcasts.