Vietnamese in Udon Thani

[parrot]

While looking up some info on Thai language grammar today, I came across the following info, that may (or may not) be of interest to those who follow Udon history.

Name of author : Mr. Songgot Paanchiangwong
Affiliation of author : Ph.D candidate, Faculty of Linguistics,
University of Social Sciences and Humanities,
Hanoi National University, Viet Nam
E-mail address : Songgot_p@yahoo.com


" Udon Thani, a province in the northeastern of Thailand, is the place where
contains of the biggest Vietnamese community in Thailand (Sophana: 2005, 10).
These Vietnamese immigrants came from all three regions of Vietnam with around
46,700 people in 1945 because of the World War II (Khachatphai: 1978, 10). At this
present time, there are three generations of Vietnamese immigrant living in Udon
Thani province. They still communicate to each other in Vietnamese, even though
some of them are now living outside the community. "

The rest of the article deals with Thai/Viet language issues.

For those of you who know your noodle soup, the best soup in town (IMO) are the few restaurants who serve it up Viet style.

[michaleo]

For those of you who know your noodle soup, the best soup in town (IMO) are the few restaurants who serve it up Viet style.

Thanks for this interesting information.
Can you tell us as well where we find for example one of your favorites noodle soup restaurants?

[Tilokarat]

Yes, and Ho Chi Minh lived in Nakhon Phanom Province, I think, in the late 1920s or so.

[UdonExpat]

There is a museum dedicated to Ho Chi Minh about 10km west of town off the Posri road extension. He lived here in the past.

There are many Vietnamese farmers in the NE of Isaan. You can now identify them by the conical straw hats they wear. Until about 15-20 years ago they were forbidden to wear them under penalty of arrest.

The Vietnamese were allowed to become Thai citizens sometime in the early 90's, I believe. Until then they were restricted to their Tambons and were supposed to get police passes to travel outside of them. If they want to travel outside the country they can get a Thai passport good for the time of their travel. The passport does not identify them as citizens, but rather as residents.

Many Vietnamese have now attained Thai citizenship. They get a Thai ID card and full status, although the numbers on their ID indicate they are naturalized citizens. Many Vietnamese have changed their family names by getting a Thai family to allow them to use their name, thereby hiding their nationality. Prejudice is rampant in Thailand and if they go for government services with a Vietnamese name they often have to wait until all Thais are first served.

The Vietnamese community has spead out over the years. Concentrations are in the downtown area south and west of the government offices. Going to the area of the Srisuk Post Office and then further south past the mosque. Most of the soi's in that area are a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese.

VT is probably the best known Vietnamese Restaurant, but there are many others in the above area. Most are small places serving noodles or Viet style breakfasts. Most of the shops in that part of town are either Chinese or Vietnamese.

If you go to these shops and restaurants you will often hear Vietnamese being spoken.

[parrot]

".favorites noodle soup restaurants?."

On SriChumChern, grid J13. As you're heading from the prison to the mosque, it's about 60meters on the left hand side. Small, narrow shop with a painted green floor. Beef/chicken stock. Although grandma doesn't make it anymore, the daughter still makes it according to her recipe. Lots of veggies offered on the side.

[thedude]

Udon may have the largest VN community, but I've heard that NK has the highest % of VN people; some quote as high as 80% VN ancestry, which would be incredibly high if true. (Then again, my wife's grandfather was VN, and when you ask around, everyone seems to have some VN in the family tree around here.)

However, being a VN linguist in another life (USAF), I do hear VN spoken all over NK - esp. in the shops, markets, etc., and sometimes shock them with the remaining snippets of VN I remember. (Actually, I know how to say "sorties" or "CBU's" or "running dog lackeys" but can barely order food - it's not what they trained us for, obviously. Still strange.)

I also read that there were 3 waves of VN immigration into NK/Thailand the past century, but I'd love someone to refer me to a few good texts to learn more about this, and NK/Udon history in general. Almost impossible to find anything around here, of course - & I mean anything. Maybe online, or order from BKK? Amazon?

Ta, DUDE

[lee]

Udon Thani, a province in the northeastern of Thailand, is the place where contains of the biggest Vietnamese community in Thailand

Thanks for the info. There are several Vietnamese living and working near our office, apparently they make better money working here than back home.

There is a museum dedicated to Ho Chi Minh about 10km west of town off the Posri road extension. He lived here in the past.

That's something else I've learned today, thanks for the info. Do you know the address of this place? I would like to visit sometime.

[Texpat]

My wife's stepfather (deceased) was Vietnamese. Granny is too, as are all her uncles and aunts in Nong Khai. They speak an improbable mishmash of Lao, Thai and VN. Mostly Christians.

Three of her 4 brothers are born Thai but have Vietnam surname. One changed his name (300 baht!)

It's not really that unusual when you realize a lot of Vietnam is much closer to Udon/Nong Khai than, say, Bangkok.

[Shado]

This is the most interesting, entertaining and informative thread that I've read in a very long time. Good job posters, I've learned a few things and enjoyed reading the various comments.

[Astana]

I'm not sure that Nguyen Ai Quoc (Ho Chi Minh) lived in Udonthani but he certainly visited during March 1930(he left Hong Kong on a tour of Southeast Asia to bring about the reorganization of the South Seas (Nan Yang) Communist Party-traveling through Bangkok), where he reported to his compatriots on the founding of the Vietnamese Communist Party and gave them instructions on future operations in the region.

By mid-April, Nguyen Ai Quoc ((Ho Chi Minh) returned to Bangkok, where presided over meeting to establish a new Siamese Communist Party and select a provisional executive committee, which would include one Vietnamese member from the Udonthani group.

Paraphrased from William J. Duiker's book 'Ho Chi Minh' Allen Unwin 2000.

[parrot]

We rode our bikes out to the Ho Chi Minh Educational and Historical Site in November 2007. I seem to remember it on the road to Gudjab (the intersection closest to Harry's) on the left hand side as you're heading to Gudjab (Udonexpat says it's on the Phosri extension and his memory may be bettttter than mine).
The caption at the bottom of the photo says "Uncle Ho visits his birthplace".....so I don't know what that photo was doing at the site, but it's included for your viewing pleasure.

[parrot]

One last photo that might help you find the place

[BobHelm]

This is the most interesting, entertaining and informative thread that I've read in a very long time. Good job posters, I've learned a few things and enjoyed reading the various comments.

Agree 100% Shado.
Thanks for the pics & directions parrot. I will pay a visit out that way when I have a few hours to spare - although I am sure TG will think I have finally lost the plot!!

[scubbamatty]

Hi thanks for a great post,good for me learn this!!!!!

[LoongLee]

Something new for this old dog,,,,,,,, I thought the largest concentration of Viets was in Nakhon Phanom.