Vietnamese? Who are these Vietnamese people in Berlin, who seemingly just exist within their shops? Is there a microcosm, which is hidden in front of the German society? Where does Germany end and where does Vietnam start in Berlin? The following essay gives an insight view of the public and private life of Vietnamese immigrants in Berlin.
I was born in Vietnam but grew up in Germany since the age of 5. Although living in Germany, I was still growing up in two different worlds. At home we lived the "Vietnamese life" and outside we participated with the German society. Politicians would call us very well integrated immigrants. Going away from these political definitions I am feeling half German and half Vietnamese. I would not want to have to choose one side!
It always stroke me how little the German society actually knows about their foreign neighbours. There is a thick fog of stereotypes which I would like to clear. Giving an insight view of the Vietnamese society which is starting to open up. For instance in the past, Vietnamese people have run take aways or restaurants which were labeled "Chinese". That has changed. Vietnamese people have realised that sticking to their identity as Vietnamese helps to create more exceptance between the cultures. Thus one can see the opening of countless "Vietnamese" take aways and restaurants. Still this is solely on the economical level. Culturally there is hardly any exchange or understanding.
I am hoping to provide one part of the exchange between Germany and Vietnam. The project is not finished by all means. Perhaps it will be a life long project, but at least I will persue it the next 2 or 3 years.