Teacup similar to those used on TU DO

Date1990-1997

Object number00031109

NameTeacup

MediumCeramic

DimensionsOverall: 51 x 60 x 60 mm, 0.1 kg
Display Dimensions: 50 mm

ClassificationsTableware and furnishings

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionWhite china teacup with blue glaze decoration. This tea cup is similar to one brought to Australia on the Vietnamese refugee boat TU DO in 1977. It is part of a collection of items that were purchased in Vietnam in 1997 with the help of TU DO's builder and navigator Tan Thanh Lu and his friend Hung Nguyen. Part of set of ten teacups 00031107 - 00031116.HistoryThe Australian National Maritime Museum has a Vietnamese refugee boat called TU DO (VNKG1062ADC) in its collection which brought 31 passengers from Kien Giang Province to Australia in November 1977. The refugees left Vietnam with few possessions making it difficult to tell their story. To rectify this Australian Museum National Maritime Museum curator Helen Trepa and Tan Thanh Lu, the builder and captain of TU DO, travelled to Vietnam in 1997 to seek out and purchase a collection of items that would bring the voyage to life. In this they were assisted by Hung Nguyen, a friend of Mr Lu who helped him prepare his escape. They selected items that were typical of those used on TU DO in 1977 mainly dealing with sleeping, fishing and cooking. Whenever possible second hand items from the 1970s were purchased to better reflect the era. Items unavailable second hand were purchased new. These items represent the communal life on board TU DO and provide insight into Mr Lu's preparations for the escape.SignificanceThe teacup is a representative example of equipment taken onboard TU DO for the perilous voyage from Vietnam to Australia in 1977. Compared to other refugee boats, TU DO was well-prepared with builder and navigator Tan Thanh Lu having stocked provisions to last five months, including rice, noodles, coconuts and tinned and dried fish.