Ten years after the Irish government took a decision to allow over two hundred Vietnamese 'Boat People' to come and live in this country, a report on the difficulties they face as they attempt to come to terms with a culture vastly different to their own.
A look at the Vietnamese community in Ireland ten years after their arrival as refugees.
212 refugees from Vietnam arrived in Ireland in September 1979. At first they were accommodated in Red Cross centres in Blanchardstown and Swords, and over time moved on to rented local authority housing in Dublin and other parts of the country.
Michael Stone, Chairman of the Refugee Settlement Committee, speaks about how well the Vietnamese integrated into Irish society and how they set up take away food business. The VEC (Vocational Education Committee) also introduced intensive language courses to provide English language training for the immigrants. Spouses and grandparents of the refugees have also been permitted to come and live in Ireland. Michael Stone speaks about efforts being made to extend access to the country to other family members.
Ten years since their arrival, many of the younger Vietnamese are now integrated into Irish society and have embraced it whole-heartedly.
With over 400 Vietnamese now in Ireland, they still face many challenges with many still largely dependent on state support to survive.
