Vo Dai Ton

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:55): I stand to speak in honour of a real local hero of mine and many other people around the world, Colonel Vo Dai Ton, a man whose life was defined by courage, conviction, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to human rights in Vietnam. His journey was not just a personal battle but a testament to the enduring struggle for freedom and justice.

Born in 1936 in Da Nang, Vietnam, Vo Dai Ton lived through some of the most turbulent periods of Vietnamese history. As a commando instructor in the South Vietnamese Army special forces, he trained intelligence units for operations in North Vietnam before the war's end in 1975. When South Vietnam fell he fled to Australia in late 1976, carrying with him an enduring determination to fight for democracy.

But exile did not silence his voice; it strengthened it. In 1981, Vo Dai Ton embarked on a daring mission to return to Vietnam and lead a resistance movement against the communist regime. His goal was clear: to fight for the rights and freedoms of the Vietnamese people. However, his mission was met with severe consequences. Captured at the Laos-Vietnam border, Vo Dai Ton endured over 10 years of solitary confinement in prison. Amazingly, while a prisoner he memorised about 1,000 poems under his pen name Hoang Phong Linh, preserving his vision for a free Vietnam.

In his memoir, Vo Dai Ton described the inhumane conditions he and other inmates had to endure. His feet were kept in chains and his mouth gagged with rubber so he could not cry out. Beatings left him with internal injuries designed to wear him down just enough to prepare him for the next round of abuse.

The worst torture of all was loneliness. Isolated in a small cell for 10 years with no contacts from the outside world, guards would show him pictures of his family only to take them away again, corrupting his mind with despair. But even in the depths of suffering, he never surrendered his ideals. He endured the worst of solitary imprisonment, starvation and psychological manipulation, yet his spirit remained unbroken.

His resilience drew international attention, sparking global campaigns from human rights organisations demanding his freedom. After years of relentless advocacy from the Australian government Vo Dai Ton was finally freed in late 1991.

Upon his return to Australia he continued his fight for justice through speeches, writing and tireless activism. He reminded the world that freedom must always be defended. His courage and conviction strengthened the Vietnamese community around the world, empowering them to continue the fight for human rights in Vietnam and inspiring the next generations to follow in his footsteps.

On 23 May 2025, Vo Dai Ton passed away aged 90 in Sydney, leaving behind a legacy that will never be forgotten. His life reminds us that the fight for human rights is never easy but always necessary. His resilience, his sacrifices and his courage should inspire us all to stand for justice, to speak for those who cannot and to ensure that freedom is never taken for granted. May we honour Vo Dai Ton not just with words, but with actions.

It was a great privilege to have lunch with him and his wife, Tuyet Mai, in Bankstown a few years ago where his passion for justice left a lasting impression with me. My condolences to Mrs Tuyet Mai and his extended family. Rest in peace, Vo Dai Ton. Your courage will forever inspire us.