Arrived in America:
Experiences: Compass Seller
Location:
A Brief Biography
Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hải was born in 1950 in Phat Diem, North Vietnam. She and her family moved to the South in 1954. Before 1975, her family owned a pharmacy in Phu Nhuan. After 1975, through connections, she knew a hidden location that manufactures and sells compasses, an “illegal” item for escape organizers, boat owners or helmsmans, because the compass was needed for the captain to navigate the boat to international water.
She tried to escape out of Vietnam many times but failed each time. She was arrested and condemned to prison for being connected to an escape organization. She immigrated to the United States through the ODP sponsorship program. “I cherish the freedom that I have gone through so much hardship to get to the land of freedom and continue to help others.” she said.
”“I cherish the freedom that I have gone through so much hardship to get to the land of freedom and continue to help others.”
Nguyen Thi Thanh Hai
