Vietnamese Leave Ukraine: Lose All, Refugees in Strange, Hope to Return Second Homeland

After about 9 months leaving Ukraine due to Russian-Ukrainian war, many Vietnamese have gradually been used to new life despite many difficulties and challenges. Facing the new year of 2023 and Lunar New Year, they always hope the political situation will be soon stablized to possibly return to their previous life.

Many Vietnamese in Ukraine find the country their second home of living for decades. They used to do business, work and have good life in Ukraine. However, since the Russia and Ukraine conflict, they had to take refuge, accept losing all of their assets in Ukraine.

“Love and miss the country so much but helpless”

In 1989, Vu Tuyet Nhung (51 years old) left her hometown – Bac Giang to live and work in Ukraine. In March 2022, the situation between Ukraine and Russia became tense, and she had to evacuate to Germany. This is the first year of her celebration of Tet in Germany because she has no way back to Ukraine.

Nhung has to evacuate to Germany since March.

Currently, she has been provided with housing and monthly living expenses in Germany. All refugees from Ukraine are entitled to benefits and free social welfares, medical examination covered by insurance. Children are entitled to school and have their own allowance.

“Germany and Ukraine are more than 2 hours away from each other and both are in Europe, so there is not too much difference in culture, cuisine and climate. However, the biggest barrier is language, causing difficulties in communication and daily activities. And one of the most difficult things is that I am not young anymore but has to start a new life with empty hands in a strange place. My daughter has to get used to a new environment, friends, teachers, and study a new language, which is quite challenging” said Nhung.

The weather in Germany is very cold but she is provided with a heater. Photo: NVCC

In hope to return to the beloved home

“We have heater here and I feel sorry for people in my second homeland who are going through an extremely hard and difficult winter. In the coming year, I pray that political situation in Ukraine will be soon stabilized. Everyone is healthy and safe to return home soon. That is not only my wish but also for almost Vietnamese who have to leave Ukraine” said Nhung.

Tet ancestral tray on worship altar when Nhung was in Ukraine.

She also hopes that compatriots having to take refuge everywhere are able to live a new life with a warm New Year, and her family and relatives in hometown enjoy a healthy, lucky and happy New Year.

In 1989, Mr. Ho Sy Truc left his hometown – Quynh Luu (Nghe An) to work in Ukraine. More than 30 years living him a full and happy life there. However, from March, his family had to move to Germany to stay in social housing and look for a new job.

Mr. Truc (outermost R) currently working in a restaurant as a waiter. Photo: NVCC

Currently, he is working at a Vietnamese restaurant in Germany while he worked as a salesman before, so he had to adapt to this new job gradually.

“When I first came here, I ate whatever they gave me, but later on, I cooked Vietnamese food by myself. In Germany, applying for a job is not too difficult, but how to adapt to it is a big problem. For that reason, many people give up from the beginning,” he said.

Although life is difficult, he encourages himself to strive to overcome it. The Lunar New Year is coming albeit sorrow, he constantly hopes for a peaceful life returning soon.

“I want to go to work to feel better due to a messed up life during last 9 months. A lot of pressure and fatigue make me afraid of getting depressed, so I had to find a job. My current work is completely different from what I did before in terms of its nature, environment and working culture. It is acceptable for me to switch from an owner to an employee as no way in a strange place” he said.