Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn

Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn (born 9 March 1945 in Sơn Tây in Hanoi) is a Vietnamese-Canadian writer, essayist, and television personality.

In this Vietnamese name, the surname is Nguyễn. In accordance with Vietnamese custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Ngạn.
Nguyễn Ngọc Ngan
BornNguyễn Ngọc Ngạn
(1945-03-09) 9 March 1945
Sơn Tây, French Indochina
Occupation
  • Writer
  • teacher
  • MC
NationalityVietnam
Canada
CitizenshipCanada
EducationNguyễn Bá Tòng School
Chu Văn An High School
Conservatory of Ho Chi Minh City
Alma materThe University of Saigon
GenreShort story, novel, drama
Years active1979–present
Notable worksThe Will Of Heaven
SpouseLê Thị Tuyết Lan (1970–1978)
Trần Ngọc Diệp (1982–present)
ChildrenTwo sons
RelativesNguyễn Ngọc Trọng (younger brother)
Military career
AllegianceSouth Vietnam
Service/branch Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Years of service1970–1975
Battles/warsVietnam War

He was born in Sơn Tây, Vietnam, but his family moved to South Vietnam when the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam in 1954. After university and service in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Ngạn was imprisoned by the victorious communists after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and did forced labour in a re-education camp up until 1978, an experience described in his autobiography, The Will Of Heaven.[1]

After his release, Ngạn escaped by boat to Malaysia in 1979. During the closing stages of the journey, storms hit the boat and knocked it over within sight of land. Ngạn's wife and child drowned and he was pulled unconscious from the water. He was sponsored by the Canadian government and brought to Vancouver in 1980, moving to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and in 1985 to Toronto.[2]

Ngạn was formally known for co-hosting Thuy Nga's Paris by Night with Vietnamese personality Kỳ Duyên. He co-authored Ballad Of Mulan and The Blind Man and the Cripple – Orchard Village.

References
  1. Huu Khoa Le, Littérature vietnamienne: la part d'exil, p. 39 (Groupe de recherche sur l'Extrême-Orient contemporain, 1995); ISBN 2-85399-361-2
  2. Yale University, Southeast Asia Studies, The Vietnam Forum (1985).

Sources
  • Nguyễn Ngọc Ngạn with E.E. Richey, The Will of Heaven: A Story of One Vietnamese and the End of His World, Dutton, 1982: ISBN 0-525-03061-1
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