A workshop on Vietnamese who were conscripted by France and brought there as part of their war effort was held in Paris on Feb. 2.
The workshop was as an initiative of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), the centre for Information and Data on Vietnam (CID) and the Vietnamese Union in France (UGVF).
Prominent among participants at the workshop were journalist Pierre Daum, the author of the book "Those who were forced to immigrate – Indochinese workers in France , 1939 – 1952” and some witnesses and their children.
The workshop recounted the history of 20,000 Vietnamese farmers who were forced to immigrate to France and put to work producing weapons during WWII.
In 1940, France decided to send the workers back to Vietnam , but the sea route was blockaded, and about 15,000 people could not return home. They had to remain in France throughout the war and some 1,500 people were moved to Camargue to grow rice and produce salt, which contributed markedly to the prosperity of the region.
Recently, the contributions of these workers were recognised by the French government.
Pierre Daum spent four years meeting witnesses in France and Vietnam to write his book.
In December 2009, Arles city in the Camargue region presented medals to Vietnamese workers in their city during World War II.
Helene Luc, honorary Senator and President of the AAFV expressed her hope that other areas will follow Arles ’s example and send a request to the French Government to honour these workers and put policies in place for them.
Pierre Daum said that France needs to admit a dark page in its history as a colonial power and recognise the contributions of Indochinese workers. His book is currently being translated into Vietnamese./.
The workshop was as an initiative of the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV), the centre for Information and Data on Vietnam (CID) and the Vietnamese Union in France (UGVF).
Prominent among participants at the workshop were journalist Pierre Daum, the author of the book "Those who were forced to immigrate – Indochinese workers in France , 1939 – 1952” and some witnesses and their children.
The workshop recounted the history of 20,000 Vietnamese farmers who were forced to immigrate to France and put to work producing weapons during WWII.
In 1940, France decided to send the workers back to Vietnam , but the sea route was blockaded, and about 15,000 people could not return home. They had to remain in France throughout the war and some 1,500 people were moved to Camargue to grow rice and produce salt, which contributed markedly to the prosperity of the region.
Recently, the contributions of these workers were recognised by the French government.
Pierre Daum spent four years meeting witnesses in France and Vietnam to write his book.
In December 2009, Arles city in the Camargue region presented medals to Vietnamese workers in their city during World War II.
Helene Luc, honorary Senator and President of the AAFV expressed her hope that other areas will follow Arles ’s example and send a request to the French Government to honour these workers and put policies in place for them.
Pierre Daum said that France needs to admit a dark page in its history as a colonial power and recognise the contributions of Indochinese workers. His book is currently being translated into Vietnamese./.
