This guide offers a thoughtful set of essential interview questions designed to help capture the deeply personal and often harrowing stories of Vietnamese Boat People—as well as universally reflective questions for anyone sharing their life journey. Whether you’re recording oral histories for a community archive or talking with a loved one, these questions aim to foster trust, evoke memory, and illuminate resilience. Tips for interviewers are included to ensure that each conversation unfolds with care, empathy, and open-hearted listening.
13 Essential Interview Questions (for Vietnamese Boat People)
- Could you start by telling me your full name and your date and place of birth?” (Establishes basic identifying information and can sometimes spark initial memories about their early life and family.)
- What was it like growing up in Vietnam? Could you describe your family’s conditions in Vietnam?
- What were the circumstances that led to your family’s decision to leave Vietnam by boat? What were your hopes and fears at that time?
- Could you describe the boat journey? For example, how long you were on the sea, how many people on the boat, size of the boat, space on the boat, and other conditions such as food, water, supplies, weather, etc.
- Did you encounter any other vessels or people during your journey? If so, can you describe those encounters?
- Which refugee camp(s) did you stay in? Can you describe your experiences in the refugee camp? For example, what were the living conditions and how long did you stay there?
- What kind of support or challenges did you face while living in the refugee camp?
- Can you describe the first few years of life in the U.S.?
- What kind of support networks (or lack of support networks) did you find or create in your new community? How important were these connections?
- Looking back, what are your thoughts and feelings about your journey as a Boat Person?
- How do you think your experiences as a Boat Person have shaped your identity and your perspectives on life?
- What message or understanding do you hope to share with future generations about the experiences of the Vietnamese Boat People?
- Is there anything that you feel is important to remember about the time or events we’ve discussed?
15 Essential Interview Questions (for Anyone)
- Could you start by telling me your full name and your date and place of birth?” (Establishes basic identifying information and can sometimes spark initial memories about their early life and family.)
- Could you describe what it was like growing up in [place of birth]?” (Opens the door for broader contextual information about their formative years, social norms, and environment.) or What was your childhood like in [place of birth]?
- What are some of your earliest childhood memories?
- Tell me about your family. Growing up, what were some of the values or traditions that were important in your home?
- What was your experience with K-12 education like? Can you share a memorable teacher or learning experience?
- What were some of the major challenges or obstacles you faced in your life, and how did you overcome them?
- Can you share a story about a significant success or achievement that you are particularly proud of?
- Can you describe a time when you experienced significant change? How did you adapt?
- Tell me about a time when you had to make a difficult decision. What factors did you consider? What was the outcome?
- Who were some of the most influential people in your life, and how did they impact you?
- What are some of the most important lessons you have learned throughout your life?
- What’s your biggest regret in life?
- What are you most grateful for in your life?
- What wisdom or advice would you offer to younger generations?
- Is there anything that you feela is important to remember about the time or events we’ve discussed?
Tips for the interviewer:
- Remember that the goal is to create a comfortable, relaxed environment where the interviewee feels safe and empowered to share their story in their own ways.
- Be a sensitive and empathetic listener during the interview.
- Use positive nonverbal clues, (leaning forward, nodding, etc), pleasant face expressions (smiling, good eye contact, etc), and gentle verbal nudging (“I see, tell me more, oh, yeah?, ummm…”)
- Remember to ask follow-up questions based on their responses.
- Be flexible with your prepared questions. In other words, let the interviewee guide your questions based on the details they provide.
- Use open ended questions that allow the interviewee to explore, explain, elaborate, reveal, etc.