As Australians of Vietnamese communist refugee descent, we find ourselves in a unique and challenging situation. The recent statement by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, requesting the Australian government to classify us as a 'Minority Ethnic' is deeply troubling. This request does not represent our interests or our identity; it infringes upon our human rights.

Vietnam's regime does not represent us on an international level. We are proud Australians who have sought refuge from communism and have built our lives here. Our experiences and struggles should not be reduced to mere political maneuvering.

According to the 2016 Australian Census, there were approximately 219,000 people in Australia who were born in Vietnam (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Many among us fled from Vietnam due to political persecution and hardships under the communist regime. We have since contributed significantly towards building a diverse and multicultural Australia.

We urge you to condemn this statement by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh outright. It is essential that we stand together against such attempts at misrepresentation that undermine our individual identities and collective contributions as Australians.

Please sign this petition so that we can send a clear message: We are more than just an 'ethnic minority'; we are individuals with unique histories, experiences, contributions - we are Australians first.