Honouring Resilience: Golden Book Signing at Montréal City Hall Commemorates 40 Years of Vietnamese Community Contributions

May 22, 2015 — In a moving tribute to memory, resilience, and cultural legacy, the City Hall of Montréal hosted a ceremonial Golden Book Signing marking the 40th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese Boat People in the city. The event brought together representatives from UniAction, members of the Vietnamese community, and project partners committed to preserving and sharing this powerful chapter in Canadian history.

Frantz Benjamin, President of the Montréal City Council, warmly welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the lasting contributions of Vietnamese refugees and their descendants to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the city. In his remarks, he praised the community’s strength and determination, emphasizing Montréal’s pride in being a place of refuge, belonging, and opportunity.

The signing of the Livre d’or (Golden Book), a symbolic gesture reserved for significant guests and occasions, underscored the importance of this milestone. Representatives from UniAction and the Vietnamese Boat People community inscribed messages of gratitude, remembrance, and hope—recognizing the struggles of the past while looking ahead to a future rooted in cultural pride and shared humanity.

This ceremony was part of a broader initiative led by UniAction to commemorate four decades since the arrival of Vietnamese refugees in Montréal following the end of the Vietnam war.

Thi Be Nguyen, Founder of UniAction, stated: "This moment at City Hall is deeply symbolic. It reminds us that while our community came here through hardship, we arrived with hope—and built lives with dignity, strength, and purpose. We honour our elders, our families, and the next generation who will carry these stories forward as part of Montréal’s rich cultural mosaic. In commemorating this history, we must also recognize the suffering experienced on all sides. Healing begins with acknowledgment, and unity begins with compassion."

The event also celebrated the collaborative work of UniAction and its partners in promoting cultural diplomacy and intergenerational storytelling. Through initiatives such as documentary films, exhibitions, and community gatherings, the project seeks to shed light and educate about Vietnam's history on both sides.

The ceremony concluded with a message of unity: in honouring the past, Montréal also recommits itself to being a welcoming and inclusive home for all.