Object donated to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum by Nguyễn Hữu Lễ
Gifted to Father Nguyễn Hữu Lễ by a close friend during his 11 years in prisons in Northern Vietnam, including time at Quyết Tiến disciplinary camp near the Chinese border, also known as Heaven’s Gate Prison.
Transited with Father Nguyễn Hữu Lễ as he escaped by boat to a refugee camp in Thailand.
Invited by Bishop Denis Browne to New Zealand to serve the Vietnamese Catholic community in Auckland Diocese. Appointed parish priest in 1994, overseeing both Vietnamese and New Zealand parishioners.
During the 1990s-2000s, Father Nguyễn Hữu Lễ traveled extensively worldwide to advocate for democracy, human rights, and religious freedom in Vietnam.
Stepped down as parish priest after 12 years to devote more time to the global Vietnamese community. Continued as Chaplain to the Vietnamese Catholic Community in Auckland and representative of the National Movement to Restore the Name Saigon.