A Journey Back to Vietnam - Ride for Mothers 2025 with my partner & kids

My official name is Nhung Dương Thị Tuyết  but most of you know me as Ryanna Verleur, and I want to thank you sincerely for visiting my page and for your interest in this deeply personal cause of mine.

I was born in May 1974 in Saigon, Vietnam during the war, and as best I know, I was abandoned at an orphanage Sancta Maria soon after. I know   nothing of my family history - not my parents'   names, whether they're still alive or not, whether I have biological siblings or extended family, they toId me that I was born in the hospital and got to the orphanage soon after. I don't even know if my birth certificate truly belongs to me or was fabricated to help get me out of the country during the chaos and brutality of the war. In August 1974, I was adopted into a loving Dutch family*, and in 1975, Saigon fell to the communist North. I am one of a few thousand adoptees who share a similar story.

In April 2025, I will be returning to Vietnam to mark the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. Proud to be joined by my partner Roger and my kids Bo-An (13) and Bing Jag (9). Who are supporting this cause as well. As part of this significant return, we will be joining other adoptees from the US, Australia, and Europe to participate in a 5-day fundraising bike ride covering 284 kilometers across the beautiful Mekong Delta. 

Our mission is to raise awareness and provide essential DNA testing kits and care packages along the way to mothers who were separated from their children during the war.

Your donations will help:

• Distribute DNA testing kits to mothers - DNA kits are essential to providing an opportunity for mothers and children (adoptees) to reunite. Many mothers and adoptees dream of finding each other, but the DNA database of mothers in Vietnam is small. Our mission is to grow the database to improve those chances of reuiniting before time runs out.
   
• Feed those in need - We aim to distribute food parcels to these elderly mothers who struggle to make ends meet, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
   
• Build homes - Funds will also go to construct safe and comfortable homes for these deserving mothers, giving them stability.

Herewith some quotes of my partners in crime/bike : )

Roger “In my youth, there were already intense images of the Vietnam War on TV. In the 1980s, there were war movies about Vietnam, including one of my favorites, Apocalypse Now. Since then, I have always wanted to visit Vietnam, and now it’s becoming a reality. It’s special to be able to explore the country by bike with my girlfriend, who has Vietnamese roots. Also proud to support this sponsor trip and to raise awareness for those who are still affected by this war which ended 50 years ago.”

Bo-An “They often ask about my origin, it's for sure that I am 50% Vietnamese. I've traveled to Vietnam twice, but this time, as a teenager, I'm proud to contribute to this sponsor trip. I hope we can make    meaningful connections, and maybe even find family/DNA match, by giving away these tests.”

Bing “Het fietsen is misschien een iets te grote afstand voor mij maar ga wel 5 dagen mee om mijn moeder, zus en vriend te supporten buiten de andere fietsers. Ik ben te vinden in de bezemwagen en kan dan helpen met verzorging van diegene die fietsen en uitdelen van pakketten. Zou het fijn vinden als we misschien lieve familie kunnen ontdekken, door een DNA match, bijv. het vinden van een leuke oma, opa of andere familie.”

* The picture above was taken when my parents met me for the very first time at Schiphol airport in August 1974