Vietnam

Early scenes in the novel, and many scenes presented in flashback, take place in Vietnam. Vietnam is Hương and Công's home country, where they grow up, meet, and start a family together. Initially the couple lives in Mỹ Tho. They later move to Saigon when Tuấn is young, so that Công can teach at the urban university. Not long later, the war breaks out, and the family realizes they must relocate to stay safe. They move back to Mỹ Tho. They live here until Công and Hương decide they must flee to the States. On the night of their departure, only Hương and Tuấn get on the boat.

Công remains in Vietnam for the rest of the novel, and the rest of his life.

When Hương learns of his death, she, Tuấn, and Vinh return to Vietnam...