A Journey of Hope: From Vietnam to Transformation

In 1979, when I was 11, my father instructed us to pack lightly. That evening, my family that included seven children and my parents, left our home in Saigon for a coastal village in Song Be, Vietnam. Our destination was a small fishing boat shrouded by darkness, which we shared with around 300 others. We set out into open waters without certainty of safety. At that age, the gravity of the situation escaped me, but as a father now, I comprehend fully. My father’s choice was a harrowing one: risk all, including his and his children’s lives, or give up the chance for a hopeful future.

This past March, more than forty years later, I returned to Vietnam as the chief financial officer of UNICEF USA. The streets I walked then were unrecognizable—vibrant, thriving, and full of promise compared to the Vietnam of my childhood. I pondered a question I hadn’t considered before: would my parents have faced that treacherous journey knowing Vietnam’s potential today? Their choice was hopeful, anchored in belief that we deserved a life beyond fear and limitation. This belief connects our story to the countless families today.

In June, we recognize World Refugee Day alongside Father’s Day. For me, these days are intimately linked. I want to remind everyone that each refugee statistic conceals decisions like my parents’, driven by responsibility, not recklessness. Today, nearly 50 million children are displaced globally, fleeing conflicts and instability they did not cause. These experiences shape lives irreversibly. My family, after three days at sea, reached Malaysia where we stayed temporarily before moving to a refugee camp. Following a year, we relocated to the Philippines and stayed another year awaiting resettlement. With language barriers and lack of the right jobs, our prospects seemed bleak, yet during this period, humanitarian aid reached us.

I received my first vaccinations from aid workers. Volunteer teachers taught me English. Through these efforts, I began to feel seen. As a child, understanding institutions isn’t necessary when someone cares for you—when they give you a chance. Such humanitarian work extends beyond immediate solutions. It lays groundwork for systemic transformation.

On my trip back to Vietnam, I witnessed these principles in action. Visiting the Inclusive Education Resource Center at the National College of Education in Hanoi was inspiring. Technology supported children with disabilities, allowing them equal opportunities in mainstream education. In Bac Ha’s remote region, UNICEF’s initiatives left an impression. The mother-tongue-based bilingual education for the Hmong community, teaching Vietnamese while preserving their special language, reminded me of my journey learning English while maintaining my cultural roots.

On our final day, visiting a boarding school evoked memories from the refugee camp days. Seeing children share cramped quarters echoed the conditions on Pulau Bidong Island in Malaysia where I slept on wooden boards. These experiences emphasize that programs supporting education and integration aren’t abstract investments. They are essential lifelines, determining if a child is left behind or finds their potential.

Debates around refugee policy focus on logistics, costs, and numbers. Yet, discussions seldom emphasize long-term impact. My story exemplifies that investing in children yields immeasurable returns. I could become a teacher, a doctor, or a business leader because others invested in me. As World Refugee Day and Father’s Day approach, we must honor these families’ resilience and recognize our obligations. Like my father, numerous parents confront hard choices globally, abandoning everything for their children’s futures.

The question we’re left with is whether we’ll reflect this resolve, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and opportunities. This is not merely compassion—it is an integral investment in global stability and prosperity. Standing in Vietnam this year brought immense gratitude for my parents, and the organizations aiding us, for the life I’m able to live. It also brought a sense of duty. Millions of children await the same chance. My father took a leap for my future. Now, it’s on us to provide that chance to others.

Michael Chen serves as the Chief Financial Officer of UNICEF USA.