Nhung Vo

I was born here. My parents were born in Vietnam.

But your skin is so dark.

I am full Vietnamese. The rest of my family has light skin. I love my colour and it makes me, me. In the past, Caucasian people have asked me where I went to get my skin tanned and my teeth whitened. And I told them I’ve never been to a salon to get either done.

I’ve dated Asian guys who mentioned my dark skin and made it a topic. I’ve also dated Caucasian guys who never brought up my colour and made me feel normal. My Vietnamese cousins have asked me a few times why I don’t go and get my skin bleached in Vietnam. I don’t reply because it’s a silly question.

Can you speak the language?

I can speak Vietnamese fluently. My mum convinced me when I was young to learn so that I can write letters, speak on the phone and visit my grandparents and the rest of the extended family in Vietnam. When I speak Vietnamese or eat lots of Vietnamese staple food like spicy fermented shrimps (mam) or che (Vietnamese dessert), international students always ask me how long I’ve been in Australia for.

But you dress so Western.

I like to wear whatever I like. My dad always has a comment to make about my clothes. He grabs at it and says, what is this? My sisters think I dress weird. I actually don’t know what they want to see me wear. I just wear whatever makes me feel comfortable and confident. It’s usually quite simple with a touch of something different and classy, sometimes fun if I’m feeling more bold than usual. That’s my style I think and my friends get it.

Where are you from? I am from here.