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In September 1968, U.S. Army helicopters transported members of the Montagnard nation to a refugee camp during the Vietnam War. Many Montagnards later settled in North Carolina. photograph by ASSOCIATED PRESS/HENRI HUET
Before she died in 2021, H Ju Nie’s talent for backstrap weaving helped keep the Montagnard tradition alive. On a loom built by her husband, Nie designed intricate blankets, clothing, baby carriers, and bags — each a work of art. photograph by Jerry Wolford
Montagnard Art
Episode 3281 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Montagnards in North Carolina. The featured story is titled: The 1980s: Dream Weavers. It was submitted by Philip Gerard and it appeared on the Our State website.
Gerard reported that the story of the Montagnards and other Southeast Asian refugees who came to North Carolina after the Vietnam War is one of sacrifice, loyalty, survival, and renewal. Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, thousands of refugees sought safety in the United States, including the fiercely independent Montagnards from Vietnam’s Central Highlands and Hmong fighters from Laos. These groups had stood shoulder to shoulder with American forces during the war, often risking everything in support of U.S. missions.
The Montagnards made extraordinary contributions to the American war effort. Fighting alongside U.S. Special Forces, they served as fearless jungle fighters, scouts, and protectors in some of the war’s most dangerous regions. Their loyalty became legendary among Green Berets. Special Forces veteran George Clark called them “the best warriors in the world,” praising the courage that inspired American troops in battle. Tragically, their alliance with the United States came at a terrible cost. Nearly 200,000 Montagnards lost their lives, and most of their villages were destroyed during the conflict.
After the war, many Montagnards faced imprisonment, persecution, and cultural suppression under the new Vietnamese government. Yet they rebuilt their lives in North Carolina, especially in Greensboro, which became home to the largest Montagnard community outside Vietnam. Families preserved their traditions through weaving, art, and entrepreneurship while enriching their new communities. Their journey reflects the enduring spirit of allies who sacrificed greatly for America and later strengthened the nation they once fought beside.
Listen to Episode 3281 and discover more about the Montagnards in North Carolina.
