“Wandering Souls” is a poignant exploration of the lingering spiritual, cultural, and psychological impacts of the Vietnam War, especially through the lens of Vietnamese traditions and beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife. The narrative weaves together the folklore of “wandering souls”—spirits of those who died far from home without proper burial—with the U.S. military’s psychological operations designed to exploit these beliefs during the war.
These operations included eerie broadcasts simulating the voices of the dead to demoralize Viet Cong soldiers. Simultaneously, the story contrasts these tactics with the personal journey of a Vietnamese diasporic individual grappling with identity, belonging, and filial duty.
The piece also examines how both Vietnam and the U.S. engaged in cultural warfare, notably through “Hanoi Hannah” broadcasts aimed at American soldiers. It highlights the enduring influence of Vietnamese traditions, like the annual Wandering Souls Day, despite modernity and economic transformation. Through intimate conversations between a Vietnamese son and his mother, the story underscores the emotional distance created by immigration and loss, reflecting a broader historical and familial disconnection.