| Family is considered very important in Vietnamese society. The respect for elders and obedience to parents are characteristics defining the traditional famliy relations. When an elder dies, in keeping with the ancestors' cult, an altar is built to commemorate his or her life and to ask the spirits of the ancestors for protection. Anniversaries of the death of elders are celebrated and, during certain festivals, particularly those held during the New Year Celebration, offerings are made in their honour.
The exodus from their homeland left many Vietnamese families divided. Often, one parent left with the children or the older children left with an uncle or aunt. The cost of buying their way out - paying for bribes, a boat and provisions - made it impossible for whole families to leave together.
Once in Canada, Vietnamese refugees would often send money back to Vietnam to help family members they had left behind and, as soon as they could afford it, sponsor them to come to Canada. Extended families often chose to live in the same apartment building or in the same neighbourhood.
Inevitably, living in Canada has led to Vietnamese families adopting certain Canadian ideals. Parents have had to accept that, once in the school system, their children are exposed to different values.
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| (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) |
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