Images of Pulau Bidong found on the web
October 6, 2006
I did attend some of the classes or church service but I don’t recall this image. It’s possible that in 1978 it was not yet built.
I remember visiting some graves but I don’t remember this one. It’s possible that in 1978 it was not yet built.
This I did not see.
- Some Facts:
- The Island is almost a perfect circle of 1 mile in diameter
Thank you ‘Reader’ for this link: http://www.bidong.org
I lived on Pulau Bidong
ducly.wordpress.com/tag/vietnam
2007/12/08/la-toan-vinhs-sketches-of-bidong
Hello Duc,
I tried to post a comment on your blog, but do not know if it was successful.
I have recently posted some pics from Bidong (1985) at:
http://www.flickr.com
Search under “Pulau Bidong 1985”: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=pulau%20bidong&w=all
Please say hello for me to Consolacion; she might remember me, and also Odille Gilliot.
Maybe Consolacion has many more pics than I have posted.
Cheers
jk
flickr photos sets of Pulau Bidong
netsnapshot underwater of Pulau Bidong
http://www.bidong.itgo.com/photo/index.html
tags: Pulau Bidong, refugees, Vietnam, Island
May 3, 2007 at 9:49 am
i am malaysian citizen, i went to pulau bidong in 1999 for camping, i saw a few place leave by viatnamase. May i know is it built by viatnamase.
May 3, 2007 at 3:37 pm
Hi Hasni,
I don’t know for sure. I’ll have to research this more. I think that the Malaysian help build it.
September 26, 2007 at 2:17 am
I believed all buildings (churches, temples, memorial were built by the refugees who lived on the island at the time. The materials were transported by Malaysian contractors/UNHCR under the UNHCR funds to build the camp.
When I was there, the Construction Team, which I was part of, had built the Sick Bay (hospital) and the black steel water supply reservoir. We constructed all these facilities with the contractors’ assistance (tools, power, and materials). Our contribution was labour only.
There were a lot of engineers and architects who voluntarily worked within the Construction’s team then.
October 20, 2007 at 4:55 pm
This island has been a full memory for me. I could never forget it. I stayed on this island from Dec 1986 to Apr 1987. It has been an unforgetable time of my life.
February 12, 2008 at 2:15 am
I was there in 1987-88 I was 11-12 years old. That island still hold lots of memory for me. I think i thought of that island everyday since I leave that place. I still remember it vividly like it was yesterday. I thing i will never forget is that sad song they play everytime people leave the island for the mainland camp. do you know what it was or by whom. thank you. write if you can.
February 12, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Thinh Huynh,
I don’t remember that song. I do remember the Christmas songs the PA system played at night amongst the rustling palms.
-Duc
February 27, 2008 at 4:02 am
Why do you think the middle picture is of “graves”? Where there are plaques, there graves like where there’s smoke, there’s fire?
Try another perspective, if the url is correct:http://www.bidong.org/gallery/index.php?gallery=.&image=http%3A%2F%2Fbidong.org%2Fgallery%2Fgalleries%2FbdID8.jpg
February 27, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hm…I read the caption of the picture which I should have included. It said it was a grave. Too bad the link is not working. If you read this you can send a link to me. lexly87atmsn
-Duc
March 5, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I worked for the American resettlement team (JVA) in Pulau Bidong for a two year period in 1981-84. (The other year was spend doing similar work with Vietnamese Boat people in Thailand (JVA). The refugees treated us with the utmost respect because (from their point of view) we were the ones that determined who went to the USA & who didn’t.
May 4, 2008 at 5:59 am
Pulau Bidong!What a place for many of us boat people. I spent my youth there in 1982-1983. I was around 13 live alone with the orphanage program. Many memories, I never forget my darkest day. Life taught us well. We must treasures our Vietnamese heritage. Fight for our people back home so that we will take Vietnam back to the good old days!!!LONG LIVE VIETNAM!!
June 20, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi,
Thanks Duc for publishing your memories for Pulau Bidong. I was there 10/26/1985 till only two months later. But the things you wrote brought all the memories back to me, especially the wells, water falls, bread bakery, and the bean sprout and of course there were much more to remember, especially the colorful fishes found from the coral reefs. Having spent time on this island really help make the transition from Vietnam to USA easier for me. It was such an easy life, no stress, no worries, no plans because we really had nothing to plan for.
The song I heard each morning started as “Saigon oi, toi da mat nguoi trong cuoc doi, Saigon oi, thoi da het thoi gian tuyet voi…” And because I did not know we could revisit Vietnam, most nights I would cry, either through desperations of homesickness or just tears waking up from dreams of love ones at home.
My best,
Susan
July 22, 2008 at 2:39 am
I remember the wonderful smell of freshly baked bread (banh mi) in the morning. I used to get up early in the morning and hike through the latrine area (lots of red toilet paper all over the place) on the way to F beach where I would go snorkeling. Great way to start the day.
August 4, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Hi Alex!
May I get a hold of Paul? His name sounds very familiar.
Thanks.
Lamvi,
August 4, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Sure
August 5, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Hello all,
Thanks for all the pictures and your posts. I was there in Pulau Bidong from Sept 1984 – May 1985 (MB 238). It was a memorable time for me, I met several friends from the camp and still keep in contact with them to now. We are looking for one of our good friend, his name is Ho Trong Dai. He lived in CA for a long time but we’ve lost contact with him. If anyone reading these posts and know the where about of Ho Trong Dai or Nguyen Thi Kieu Ngan, please contact me via dtvo2005@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.
Thanks,
David
August 7, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I was there for a very short time before settling in America but like many others, I have great memories of the island. I was 12 in 1985. I live in area F or khu F. I remember a short walk down the hill and the beach was right there. I used to ask my Mom for money and then go buy cold refreshments. My favorite, I think it was orange soda, placed in a clear plastic bag w/ iced and then tied w/ a rubber band ..and a straw was inserted at the top. Of course, the bakery !! I made lots of friends but unfortunately, I only remember full name of only one, Lam Quoc Thong. He had an older sister and maybe a brother..I don’t remember and would love to find him but that seems highly unlikely.
I remember that Khanh Ly sang a song everytime someone leaves the island but unfortunately, i don’t remember the name of the song. I’ll ask a friend of mine and maybe able to get the answer for you Thinh.
Thanks Duc for a place to share our fond memories of Paulo Bidong.
August 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I remember the song name !!! “Bien Nho”…something like ‘ Ngay mai toi di, bien co ..” that’s all i remember suddenly. I’m not sure of the lyrics but the song is definitely “Bien Nho” !!
September 2, 2008 at 8:42 pm
You can listen to many songs by Trinh Cong Son at this website, including Bien Nho, which is the song the PA played the night before people left the camp.
ttp://www.trinh-cong-son.com/tcs.html
September 6, 2008 at 2:48 am
I came to the island on March 1979.
What’s a memories.
What’s a beatiful island.
Pulau Bidong
KG0549 my boat
September 28, 2008 at 6:48 am
Hi, I was there for 6 months. THE BEST CHILDHOOD’S MEMORY EVER !! I still have tears when I hear Khanh Ly sings “Bien Nho”.
I was a leader with the Tu Bi Temple Phat Tu Long Hoa, Oanh Vu, during Oct ‘81 – Apr ‘82. Does anybody know if there is any kind of organization/group from Bidong?
Hello to: Tu Khanh (Australia), Quy Duc (US), Tuan & Tu (US), Cam Xin, A Xin, Quang (Australia), Loan, Chi Uyen, Anh Hung and many more. I can’t think of all right now.
October 3, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I was born on this Island. May 27th 1979
I have no memories of this place, but would like to return one day soon. My fathers name is Tran Van Thong.
October 8, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Just wanted to drop a line at say it IS unforgettable time of my life. Our boat number was MC 325.
Thanks for having this blog and sharing pictures.
October 25, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hi to all
I’m just thinking about the Island again!
And the night that pirates attacked just got in my mind.
I’m just thinking about the Island again!
And the top of the Island that where i got woods.
I’m just thinking about the Island again !
And the place called Ba?y Ti`nh where i swam.
I’m just thinking about the Island again!
And the place called Doi Ton Giao where a girl and i came to visit the Temple.
I miss Paulo Bidong so much!
Hung
November 5, 2008 at 4:36 am
Hello for all my friends from ex bidong, kindly please visit bidongmemory.blogspot.com for education purpose, for duc, you’re very great person for this web, thanks
May 11, 2009 at 6:25 am
Dear All,
I stay very close to Bidong Island in Terengganu, Malaysia and very glad to bring whoever who want to visit this island. Now, I make frequent visit to Vietnam just to understand them better.
I really salute the vietnamese people and how they survive the hardship during and after the war.
Regards/Anuar