Vietnamese Communities in Canada, France and Denmark

This paper describes some basic aspects of Vietnamese refugee community organization in three different countries: Canada, France and Denmark. Comparison between these three areas deals with the formation of ethnic associations; the definition of Vietnamese identity abroad; and existing links between overseas Vietnamese, their countries of adoption and Vietnam. Drawing on Breton's model of ethnic community politics, it concludes that Vietnamese find it easier to assume the governance of their communities in countries like Canada, where there exists an official multicultural policy, or France, where the size and political involvement of the community are considerable.