At Least Shit Eating Dogs Knew

[Vung Tau, 3/26/25]

Before 1975, Vũng Tàu had three movie theaters. All ceased operating decades ago. One, Điện Biên, has people living inside. Măng Non [Young Bamboo Shoot] houses only rats under its leaky ceiling. Right outside, though, is a cheerful café operated by Jason. Born in 1978, Jason never experienced the Vietnam War, but what he endured until the mid 90’s was horrible enough. The youngest of ten kids, Jason was born after his dad had died at age 38 from a traffic accident. His mom passed away at age 59 from ovarian cancer. Unusual for Vung Tau, no one in his family tried to escape by sea. The ocean was right there.

Going to school, Jason never had a backpack, just a plastic bag to hold his school stuff plus, on better mornings, one sweet potato. There were many days when he was hungry every waking second. Jason’s big break came when he was befriended by an Australian in 1995. Only 17, he moved to Sydney to stay with this man. That’s also how Hưng became Jason. The Aussie’s constant jealousy caused Jason to return to Vung Tau after only 1 1/2 year. They’re still friends.