Object donated to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum by Đặng Thị Ánh Tuyết
In October 1955, Ngô Đình Diệm becomes the first President of South Vietnam after the national referendum. Eight years later, President Diệm is assassinated. At some point afterward, the dictionary leaves the Presidential Palace.
Teacher Hoàng, a former press officer at the Presidential Palace, takes possession of the dictionary. After being released from reeducation camp, he uses it to teach English to neighbors.
Mrs. Đặng Thị Ánh Tuyết’s younger brother escapes Vietnam by boat and resettles in Canada. Needing study materials, he receives the dictionary from Teacher Hoàng via Mrs. Ánh Tuyết.
Mrs. Đặng Thị Ánh Tuyết herself resettles in Canada. Her brother eventually returns the dictionary to her.
Mrs. Đặng Thị Ánh Tuyết donates the dictionary to the Vietnamese Heritage Museum (VHM).
Author Nguyễn Văn Khôn personally inscribes and gifts the dictionary to then-Prime Minister Ngô Đình Diệm