BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Minh Tran was born on October 10th, 1935 in Hue, Vietnam. Mr. Tran worked with the American Embassy in Vietnam until 1966, when he was drafted into the army. He learned something working with the American Embassy that would later prove very useful: the English language.

After spending a year and two months in prison, Mr. Tran and his family escaped Vietnam in a boat. They arrived in Webster, South Dakota in the summer of 1979. In December of 1979 they moved to Moorhead, Minnesota, where they have lived ever since.

Mr. Tran secured a permanent job at Lutheran Social Services of Moorhead. As area coordinator for the office, he helped refugees like himself settle in their new country, find jobs and cars, and sign up for English language classes. Mr. Tran retired in January 2002, and received a Human Rights Award from the City of Moorhead in January 2003. The community mourned his passing in February 2003.

In this interview, Minh Tran describes his experienecs as a refugee and his work with Lutheran Social Services. He offers advice to refugees just arriving in America, as well as their potential employers in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He details the strides Moorhead has made in developing appreciation for the city's multicultural population, and offers his thoughts on why Fargo-Moorhead has gradually become more international.

Minh Tran was interviewed on April 23, 2002 (10:00am) by Ashley Kallod and Janet Hohenstein.

 

SAMPLES FROM THE INTERVIEW

ON MAKING FARGO-MOORHEAD MORE APRECIATIVE OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY:

"I think the community has done a lot. Has done a lot…I think the local government, the city, the human rights committee…the new mayor and, and I think, I think we need to keep more people working together, that’s the main thing. Most of the problem I think stems from lack of information. Misinformation. I have found some of my American friend who thought they know me, they have no idea who I really am. And even they have a lot of misinformation. There’s some fears, too. And if we could have a chance to learn about each other, getting to know each other more, that would help."

ADVICE TO PEOPLE ARRIVING IN AMERICA:

"Be patient. (laughs) Be patient, that’s all. Because, well like I said before, people came here with a lot of preconceived notions…. Be patient and work hard, that’s it."

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW