Vietnamese Commemorative Monument
Preston and Somerset
Written by Bytown Museum
on
03/Dec/2009
In 1975, South Vietnam fell to the Communists, and hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people either fled or were expelled from the country. The outflow of refugees reached a crisis in 1978 as some neighbouring countries refused to admit the refugees.
The plight of the Vietnamese Boat People (so-called because they braved the South China Sea in tiny, leaky boats) captured the attention of Ottawa Mayor Marion Dewar. She began what became known as Project 4000 – an attempt to bring 4,000 Vietnamese refugees to Ottawa through private sponsor groups. Ottawa's outpouring of support was duplicated in other Canadian cities. Over the next five years, Ottawa residents helped 3,600 refugees resettle in the area.
In 1995, the Vietnamese Commemorative Monument was unveiled at the corner of Preston and Somerset streets. The monument commemorates the contribution of the Vietnamese community to the city.
Were you involved in Project 4000? Share your story with us.
