Not only are Asian Americans the fastest-growing group in America, but North Carolina holds the third-highest growth rate nationally. Vietnamese-Americans are one rapidly emerging group, making up 12% of the AAPI population in North Carolina.

With the rich budding history of Vietnamese people in North Carolina, Bánh Mì & Beyond seeks to document untold stories of adult immigration and the journey of building a new life in North Carolina. 

Showcasing the breadth of Vietnamese-American immigration experiences, the project examines intergenerational Vietnamese stories of immigration due to war, famine, and economic prospects through food narratives. Bánh Mì & Beyond hopes to foster a greater sense of Vietnamese belonging across North Carolina by uplifting essential community-based conversations, further enriching cross-cultural ties with food, and beyond. 

In 11 interviews across 4 different cities in North Carolina, the project covers stories from students, researchers, restauranteurs, diplomats, and more. Beyond their occupations, these people hold several hats within their circles: neighbors, travelers, creatives, part-time seamstresses, and much more. 

As Vietnamese is the second most commonly spoken Asian language in North Carolina, the project sought to strengthen interviewing efforts by further developing comprehensive verbal skills for bilingual communication. Thus, the exhibit contains multimedia components in both English and Vietnamese.