Vietnamese community outraged over restaurant name
April 10 2016 - 9:18AM
A Vietnamese-inspired restaurant in Brisbane has provoked outrage within the local Vietnamese community over its name.
Uncle Ho, which sits on East Street just off Ann Street, draws its name from communist dictator Ho Chi Minh, and members of the local Vietnamese said they are disgusted by the decision to pay tribute to him.
"The Caucasian owners have named it after a dictator whose communist regime is what Australia fought against during the Vietnam War," Jade Pham told Fairfax Media.
"I am outraged by the lack of respect for history and the people it affects in Australia to this day."
Millions fled Vietnam in the 60s and 70s as a result of Ho Chi Minh's brutal dictatorship, including Ms Pham's father who fought against the Viet Cong and was a prisoner of war under the regime.
"Seeing 'Uncle Ho' so lightly thrown around is like a slap in the face, adding insult to injury," she said.
"My dad risked his life fleeing on a boat so my siblings and I could have a better chance at life in fair Australia."
The restaurant has used images of the dictator in some of its marketing material.
Fairfax Media has approached the restaurant owners for comment.
Members of Brisbane's Vietnamese community have organised a protest for the corner of Wickham and East Street on Sunday at 11am.
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