To Believe in Freedom:
A Mother’s Journey From War To Hope
A Mother’s Courage. A Family’s Journey. A Story the World Must Remember.
In April 1975, as Saigon fell and the Vietnam War reached its devastating end, one mother made an unthinkable choice—to risk everything to save her children. To Believe in Freedom is inspired by those true events, following May and her family through a perilous escape from Vietnam, a harrowing stay in an overcrowded Malaysian refugee camp, and the uncertain promise of a new life in America.
From the moment May steps onto a fragile boat into dangerous waters, the story unfolds with gripping intensity and emotional depth. We witness her fierce determination in the face of hunger, fear, and loss—her refusal to surrender, even when the odds are stacked against her. Along the way, acts of kindness, unexpected friendships, and small moments of hope illuminate the darkest days.
More than a historical novel, To Believe in Freedom is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. It captures the resilience of those who, against all odds, believed in the possibility of a better tomorrow.
Testimonials
What readers are saying
This book changed my perspective on life completely!
Sam
NY
An inspiring read that I couldn't put down until the last page!
Alex
LA
★★★★★
★★★★★
Behind the Scenes / Author's Note
This book began long before I ever sat down to write it.
My first encounter with Vietnamese refugees was in the mid-1980s, in a crowded camp in Hong Kong. I was there for business, but what I saw stayed with me, families who had risked everything, living in uncertainty, yet holding on to hope. Their faces, their stories, and their quiet strength followed me for decades.
When Vietnam opened its doors to Western visitors, I returned, not just to see the country, but to live there. In the mid-1990s, I made my home in Saigon, running a small company and witnessing firsthand a nation still healing from the wounds of war.
Author’s Note
For years, the idea of To Believe in Freedom was with me, but work left little time for writing. Only later did I realize that some stories can’t wait forever. This novel is my tribute to the mothers, fathers, children, and friends who endured what many of us can hardly imagine.
Though the characters are fictional, the emotions, struggles, and resilience are very real. I hope that through these pages, you will not only read their story, but feel it.
— Sekip Surget
Buy the Book / Call to Action (CTA)
Don’t just read history—experience it.
Follow one family’s remarkable journey from war-torn Vietnam to the hope of a new life.
Available in:
Paperback – hold the story in your hands
Kindle eBook – read anywhere, anytime
Audiobook – hear the journey brought to life
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