Lan is a graphic designer and lives the life of a creative in Poland. She feels that she is from Warsaw, rather than Poland or Vietnam. Lan is an activist and feels a lack of support from the Vietnamese-Polish community in her battle against discrimination. Whilst undertaking her activist work, she is aware that being ethnically Vietnamese in Poland puts her at a higher risk of arrest.
Anh Nguyen in an ex-communist cafe. Anh was born in Poland and grew up in a household that spoke four languages. She didn't start speaking until she was 2 years old. Her parents moved back to Vietnam when she was 12 leaving her with her older brother who was 18. Anh has no intention of going to Vietnam and has recently had a baby with whom she speaks only in Polish.
Minh, or Jackie as he is often called. He has been in Poland for a year and prior to that he lived in Australia where he was given his anglophone name. Minh feels at a loss with his Vietnamese identity. In his opinion, a "true" Vietnamese person is someone who knows all of the secret cultural rules.
Giang in the old Prague district in Warsaw. Giang was born in Poland and was brought up in a traditional Vietnamese household. His only connection with Polish culture was in school. His childhood was underpinned by racism and he hasn't been in Vietnam for 10 years. He is overwhelmed by the pressure of his Vietnamese family and prefers to stay in Poland.
Bartek was born in Poland and he feels more Polish than Vietnamese. He studied Graphic Design and is a big fan of pop culture. He says that reconciling different identities is a difficult process, especially in a mono-ethnic country like Poland. When visiting Vietnam he feels like a complete outsider.
Son Thanh Nguyen has been in Poland since 1991, and feels closer to Poland than to Vietnam. He works for Dan Chim Viet, which was the first journal in Eastern Europe to oppose the Vietnamese government. His life has been underpinned by phone threats and a visit to Vietnam is practically impossible. Son's wife is Polish and together they have two kids who don't speak much Vietnamese.
John Paul II and Ho Chi Minh. Many traders pin up old bank notes from Vietnam and a photo of John Paul II. Religious exile is another reason why many Vietnamese people choose to come to Poland. Only 10% of Vietnam is Catholic, and the government has been known to prosecute those that practice this religion.
Outside of the Vietnamese pagoda in Warsaw. Located on the outskirts of Warsaw, this pagoda is a divisive symbol in the Vietnamese community in Poland. The pagoda is largely sponsored by the Vietnamese government and embassy promotes the communist regime in Vietnam and is supported by many in Warsaw, but also loathed by others.