Boat Baby - by Vicky Nguyen (Paperback)

About the Book

"In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family's daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love"--

Book Synopsis

In a memoir where heroism meets humor, NBC News anchor and correspondent Vicky Nguyen tells the story of her family's daring escape from communist Vietnam and her unlikely journey from refugee to reporter with laughter and fierce love.

Starting in 1975, Vietnam's "boat people"--desperate families seeking freedom--fled the Communist government and violence in their country any way they could, usually by boat across the South China Sea. Vicky Nguyen and her family were among them. Attacked at sea by pirates before reaching a refugee camp in Malaysia, Vicky's family survived on rations and waited months until they were sponsored to go to America.

But deciding to leave and start a new life in a new country is half the story...figuring out how to be American is the other. Boat Baby is Vicky's memoir of growing up in America with unconventional Vietnamese parents who didn't always know how to bridge the cultural gaps. It's a childhood filled with misadventures and misunderstandings, from almost stabbing the neighborhood racist with a butter knife to getting caught stealing Cosmo in the hope of learning Do You Really Think You Know Everything About Sex?

Vicky's parents approached life with the attitude, "Why not us?" In the face of prejudice, they taught her to be gritty and resilient, skills Vicky used as she combatted stereotyping throughout her career, fending off the question "Aren't you Connie Chung?" to become a leading Asian American journalist on television. She delivers a uniquely transparent account of her life, revealing how she negotiated her salary in a competitive industry, the challenges of starting a family, and the struggle to be a dutiful daughter.

Funny, nostalgic, and poignant, Boat Baby is a testament to the messy glue that bonds a family. In the tradition of We Are Dreamers by Simu Liu, Vicky Nguyen offers an optimistic story full of heart that illuminates the promise of what America can be.

Review Quotes

"How could I love and respect Vicky Nguyen even more? I read her book. Vicky's life story reads like a thriller-and a love story-and a how-to on finding your voice. I am in awe!" - Hoda Kotb, NBC TODAY show anchor "A love letter to all immigrant families. Vicky's storytelling reels you in and leaves an unforgettable imprint. She honors her family, illustrates the power of grit and inspires us to keep our faith, especially in the face of adversity. A must read!"- Olivia Munn "This moving story of dogged hard work, courage, and resilience will renew your appreciation for the American dream that Vicky so beautifully personifies." - Savannah Guthrie, NBC TODAY show anchor "Uniquely personal and universally inspiring. Equal parts funny, inspiring, and authentic. Vicky's memoir informs, uplifts and reminds us all that America is a place where anything can happen." - Andrew Yang "A profoundly moving narrative that encapsulates the essence of resilience, hope, and the unyielding spirit of family. I found a personal connection to the story. A testament to the power of love and the enduring human spirit, Vicky has created a masterpiece that will resonate with readers for generations." - Lisa Sun, bestselling author of Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence "Nguyen navigated life with spunk, optimism, and the fighting spirit she inherited from her parents. Her funny, candid, heartfelt book is a reminder that, even as we carry our pasts with us, we should keep our sights on where we want to go." - The Real Simple

About the Author

Vicky is an NBC News Chief Consumer Investigative correspondent and anchor of NBC News Daily. She reports for the Today show, Nightly News with Lester Holt and NBC News Now. She graduated as valedictorian from the University of San Francisco. Vicky lives in New York with her husband and three daughters. Her parents are always nearby.