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.
August 28, 2009 at 1:22 am
Thời gian sống trên đảo là cả một phần đời của tôi. Đến đảo tháng 2 1979 sau khi ở bên chuồng bò bên đất liền một tháng trời dài sống lây lất bằng những túi cơm xã hội do hội Lưỡi liềm Đỏ của UHNCR mang đến mỗi ngày…
Đến đảo 16/2/1979 và rời đảo 10/8/79 qua Trại tạm trú ở KL hai tuần lễ.
Thời gian trên đảo tôi làm trong Khối Xây cất do các anh Hồ Tấn Đức và sau đó anh Nguyễn Thiệp làm Trưởng khối cùng rất nhiều KTS và KS, CS và các anh chị em thiện nguyện khác đóng góp công vào việc xây dựng các cơ sở trên đảo.
Tôi còn nhớ khi lên đảo bạn bè nấu che đậu xanh mời ăn và uống trà, thật là sang trọng về sau mới biết hai thứ này UHNCR cung cấp bừa phứa cho dân tị nạn nhưng vì vừa ở nơi quá nghèo đến thì cái gì cũng sang trọng cả…
Ghi lại một vài điểm cho vui, nếu có bạn nào đọc lại và cùng nhau nghĩ lại thơi gian này thật là sợ hãi vì có tới 48-50,000 dân tị nạn trên đảo….
Tôi hiện đang sống ở Úc và rất bằng lòng với cuộc sống trên “Xin nhận nơi này làm quê hương” của tôi…
Xin cảm ơn UHNCR và chính phủ cũng như người dân nước Úc cho tôi có ngày hôm nay…với cuộc đời tị nạn của tôi và gia đình.
Cảm ơn anh Đức Lý….
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.
July 14, 2009 at 11:29 am
Yes, you are right. I was in this refugee camp in 1987 as a 20 year old man. Tweenty one yrs passed by and I still remember this camp clearly. Now, i am 41 yrs old, married with 3 kids. I am a physician now, but I never forget the I was a refugee there. Lot of good memories. Thanks for coming there to work.
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
July 27, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Does any body know if the refugees still living there?
August 5, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Hi Mr. Truyen, On October 30th, 1991, Pulau Bidong was closed.
My family stayed on Bidong Island from April 1981 to August 1981. I was 18 years old when I got there. I have a lot memory of this place. Memories still green. We lived in Zone F near the “san bay”. I was a member with the “Doan Thanh Thieu Nien Thien Chi”. I can still remember Ms. Anne (Australian, our English teacher), “bo” Sinh (advisor), anh Chau (leader), anh Hiep (assistant), anh Hoa (anh Hiep’s younger brother), anh Minh, anh Nghia, anh De, chi Minh, Chanh, Thuy … Where are you now? I am living in Houston, TX now.
I wish you well.
PA
October 16, 2009 at 4:12 am
Hi Phuong Anh,
Co phai Phuong Anh la chi cua Lan Anh khong ?
Phuong Anh con nho Tran Ngoc Tuan khong ? Day la Kim Loan,
Loan van con lien lac voi anh Hiep, Hoa, va anh Chau, anh Chu.
va Hoang.
Rat mong lien lac lai voi tat ca cac ban trong Doan Thanh Thieu nien thien Chi Bidong 1981
Nghe noi Bo Vu van Sinh hien dang o Texas, Tran Duy Minh cung o Texas.
Email cho Loan nhe: kimloantran1963@yahoo.com
October 16, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Anh Hiệp đây, rất vui được gặp lại các em, vậy xin lien lạc với A. Hiệp nhe, email: doanthanhthieunienthienchi@yahoo.com
Phương Anh, Tuyền, KimLoan, Thúy, Hoàng lùn,Minh….Nhớ nhá
October 16, 2009 at 3:39 am
Tim tat ca cac ban trong Doan Thanh Thieu Nien Thien Chi o Pulau Bidong nam 1981.
Toi ten la Nguyen Kim Loan da sinh hoat voi doan TTNTC nam 1981.
Tim ong Vu van Sinh, Nguyen quoc Viet, Luu tuan Phuong, My Viet, Thuy, Thuy, 3 chi em Khanh, Mai ( di chung tau ) va Chu Chuong , Nguyen Duy Minh ( Texas )va tat ca cac ban trong doan hien cu ngu o Australia.
Rat mong codip tat ca lai Noi Vong Tay lon
October 16, 2009 at 4:05 am
Xin cac ban trong doan Thanh thieu nien Thien chi o Bidong nam 81 . Email cho KimLoan : kimloantran1963@yahoo.com
October 19, 2009 at 9:25 pm
My little boat had docking at the jetty brige on “Tet Trung Thu of 1981″. My boat number is PB690.
Memories are always in my mind about the time that I stayed on the island and in the Sangei Besi Camp. I am looking for all friends that work in the “Tieu Ban Xuong Ngon” in Sangei Besi during the year of 1981 to 1982. My name is Ly The Vu my title is “Phu Ta Ban Xuong Ngon”, my job is reading daily news, music, and announcing the list of people who get accepted or rejected after the interview with representative of U.S. or other countries.
Contact me at vly@fstinc.com
Thanks
October 21, 2009 at 3:07 am
Wow, I was only 5 in 1978 when my family was on that island, but it was so memorable to me. We hardly had anything to eat, I remember eating a lot of peas and condensed milk with porridge. I remember our neighbor’s grandfather ate a tiny tiny pet fish his grand kids had fished out of the ocean! I remember hearing of a man dying because he had made his home under a coconut tree and i guess one of the coconuts fell on him.
November 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Pauline, Thank you for sharing. Those are wonderful bits of memories.