A Long Way From Saigon, Phin's Memoirs: From Bar Girl to Dignity

A Long Way from Saigon is the compelling story of a girl named Phin. It is her journey. But it is not only a journey from Saigon to America, but also the story of a young Vietnamese woman’s search for personal worth and her heart’s desire.

As she faces life’s trials with the heart of a dragon, Phin’s journey runs the full cycle from physical abuse and emotional despair in Vietnam to love and belonging in a new world—from desperately seeking escape from life as a bar-girl and the lone burden of supporting an often thankless family to finding the love of a lifetime and her dreams fulfilled.

And then, finally, as her love of a lifetime is taken from her, she finds the journey ahead of her is once again an uncertain one. Now, only the lessons learned and taken to heart—both the bitter and the sweet—will help her to continue on life’s uncertain journey that is once again like the "twisting path of a serpent in the sand."

Though names have been changed and dramatic license has been taken, A Long Way from Saigon is a true story.