American man reunites with family in Ho Chi Minh City after 50 years: Tears when seeing photos of biological parents

Half a century has passed, and finally Mr. David, an American, has 'returned home' to the arms of his relatives in Ho Chi Minh City, in immense joy and happiness.

For the American man, David Vuong Frey (49 years old), it was an unbelievable miracle because this scene usually only appeared in his longing dreams, and no matter what, he never dared to think that one day, it would become true.

During Mr. David's stay in Ho Chi Minh City, Thanh Nien reporters had the opportunity to meet and accompany him and his family, to witness the emotional moments of reunion.

The story of the past is revealed, making us go from one surprise to another, then moved by the deep love and blood ties.

"Sister! I brought your child home!"

On October 14, Mr. David and his aunt’s family, Ms. Catherine Tran (68 years old), took a flight from the US to Tan Son Nhat Airport (HCMC). In the middle of the night, they moved to a house in alley 631 on Provincial Road 10 (Binh Tan District), where the family of Ms. Duong Thuy Lieu (54 years old), Mr. David’s sister, lived. From there, the American man began his journey to reunite and find his roots.

The extended family in Vietnam and the party to celebrate Mr. David's (second from left) "returning home" after 50 years.

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Previously, at the end of March 2023, just one day after the article: Vietnamese-American man looking for biological parents in Ho Chi Minh City: Racing against time because... was published in Thanh Nien Newspaper, Ms. Catherine accidentally learned the information and immediately contacted Mr. Do Hong Phuc (a famous architect who supports cases of foreigners looking for relatives in Vietnam) .

After confirming that the information completely matched, Mrs. Catherine was certain that Mr. David was the nephew she had been searching for all this time, according to her late sister's will. Surprisingly, she also lived in the United States, just a two-hour drive from Mr. David's house in San Diego, yet for all these years, they had not been able to find each other.

Absolutely, the two cousins ​​had a reunion in tears, smiles, happiness and endless regret, recorded in the article: "American man looking for biological parents in Ho Chi Minh City: Good news 'beyond imagination' came the next day" published in Thanh Nien Newspaper also at the end of March this year, bringing tears to many readers.

Catherine and her husband and their reunion after nearly 50 years with their nephew in America.

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Mrs. Catherine (left) took a photo with Mr. David's biological mother. Until her death, Mrs. Nam did not forget to tell her sister to find her son for adoption by an American.

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As soon as he learned that both his parents were gone, David burst into tears like a child. He returned to Vietnam to look for his biological family four times. There were times when his biological mother was still alive. They lived in the same city, very close to each other, both longing to reunite, but they could not meet. Well, that was the irony of fate!

Mrs. Catherine Tran, Mr. David's aunt

The remaining documents are the key to Mr. David finding his relatives.

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Fortunately, Mr. David still has four siblings and many relatives on both sides of the family living in Vietnam. At that time, Mr. David hugged his aunt, hoping that she could arrange her work so that he could return home to reunite with his relatives as soon as possible. That day was today!

Having not returned to Vietnam for more than 10 years, after settling in the US with her family in 1996, the day she arrived in Ho Chi Minh City with her niece, Mrs. Catherine silently said to herself, also to her late sister: "Sister! I have brought your child back!" Because, before closing her eyes, Mrs. Dao Thi Nam (Mr. David's biological mother) still could not forget about her youngest son who had been adopted by Americans, and still told her sister in the US to find him.

The happiest day of my life

It is expected that Mr. David and his aunt will be in Vietnam for half a month. These days, he cannot hide his joy and emotion, saying that these are the happiest days of his life.

Mr. David reunited with his four siblings.

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He was taken by relatives to a pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City and his eyes filled with tears when he saw the portraits of his biological parents. "Looking at my parents' faces at the pagoda, my tears suddenly flowed, but I didn't dare cry in front of my siblings. I'm almost 50 years old, but now that I'm back with my biological family, I feel like a child," Mr. David confided to his aunt.

He was reunited, shook hands with his three brothers and sister, met with relatives and exchanged warm hugs. The whole extended family held many parties to welcome Mr. David "back home", after a trip that lasted a lifetime, nearly half a century. They told each other about their lives, sent each other loving words of deep affection, of blood relations.

Besides, the American man also spent time visiting and exploring Ho Chi Minh City to learn more about his hometown where he was born. The memories he had, is having and will have are the most wonderful memories that he will probably never forget in his whole life.

Under the guidance of his aunt, David got to know his extended family in Vietnam. David called his aunt "mom" and was very attached to her.

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Mr. Tran Van Hai (57 years old), Mr. David's brother-in-law, said that these days, his extended family is filled with happiness and laughter. This reunion, to his family, is a true miracle, a happy ending, because after all, his extended family is reunited, complete, and full.

"My wife's parents in heaven must be at peace because of today's reunion. I believe that this moment is thanks to the blessings of my grandparents and parents," Mr. Hai said emotionally.

Thanksgiving connects Vietnamese and American families

Perhaps not only did Mr. David feel relieved, but when he had answered the biggest question about his origin in life, Mrs. Catherine Tran was also relieved of the burden she had been carrying for the past half century.

In 1974, when David was born, she and her husband signed the papers to let him be adopted by an American family. Although she knew it was the family's choice to give the child a better future, the aunt's heart was never free of torment.

Mr. David and his daughter (middle).

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“David was only one month old when he was separated from his family. I felt responsible for his separation from his biological parents. Now, I am bringing him back to his family, perhaps it was fate.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, I got sick, and had many underlying diseases that I thought I would never survive. But I survived. Life must have given me the opportunity to do this. Now, I can sleep well at night!", she said tearfully.

For his part, Mr. David said that although his daughter Mea Dao Busch (23 years old) really wanted to return to Vietnam with her father on this trip, she could not because of her studies. The American man said that after this trip, he would arrange his work to take his daughter to visit her father's biological family, as well as spend a long time living in Vietnam.

My daughter and I are proud to have Vietnamese blood in our veins. She loves Vietnam very much and loves to wear Vietnamese ao dai. Now, I feel complete because I have a family in America who always loves and supports me and a Vietnamese family who always welcomes me back with open arms...

Mr. David Vuong Frey, Vietnamese American

Mrs. Catherine is grateful for the love her American adoptive parents gave to Mr. David.

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Ms. Catherine said that her family has nine siblings, seven of whom are living in the US, and two who are in Vietnam and have passed away. It is planned that on Thanksgiving at the end of this year, her family and Mr. David will have a party to thank Mr. David's adoptive parents for loving and caring for him like their own son until today. The affection between the two Vietnamese and American families, with Mr. David as the bridge, will therefore become even closer.

In the remaining short days in Ho Chi Minh City, Mr. David said he will cherish every minute, every second with his loved ones, in a reunion full of miracles and wonders...

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