made in vietnam
a memoir by
elaine damschen
A Memoir of Identity, Resilience, and Generational Healing
Made in Vietnam shares a hauntingly beautiful memoir of identity, resilience, and the long shadow of family secrets. Born in the United States to a Vietnamese mother who fled just before the fall of Saigon and an American father who served in the Vietnam War, Elaine grew up straddling two worlds—navigating cultural expectations, generational silence, and the aching gap between who she was told to be and who she truly is.
Spanning continents and decades, this powerful coming-of-age memoir invites readers into the heart of a multicultural, intergenerational journey. From the complexities of AmerAsian identity and mother-daughter relationships to the hidden trauma carried by immigrant families, Made in Vietnam is a story of survival, sacrifice, and soul-searching.
With unflinching honesty and poetic grace, Elaine explores themes of generational trauma, self-discovery, and the quiet strength of women who carry untold stories. Made in Vietnam is for anyone seeking to break family cycles, reclaim their voice, and embrace their cultural heritage with compassion and courage.
This memoir will resonate deeply with readers of immigrant stories, Asian American literature, third-culture identity, women’s memoirs, and those drawn to personal stories of healing, hope, and heart.
Because some stories don’t just change your mind… they change your heart.
About elaine
Author • Speaker • Advocate for Women in Business & the skilled Trades
Elaine Damschen is a heart-led author, inspirational speaker, and trailblazing entrepreneur who brings soul and grit to everything she does. A first-generation AmerAsian woman born to a Vietnamese mother and an American father who served in the Vietnam War, Elaine’s life has been shaped by resilience, cultural duality, and the unspoken stories that live in the shadows.
As a successful businesswoman and advocate for women in non-traditional industries, she is passionate about elevating female voices in business, an advocate for the skilled trades, and beyond. She’s been a featured speaker at women's leadership conferences, trade industry events, and intimate storytelling circles—always bringing humor, humanity, and heart to the stage. Her speaking engagements have inspired audiences to lead with purpose, face the past with courage, and find power in vulnerability. Elaine is on a mission to help others transform pain into power and use their stories to connect, heal, and lead.
At her core, Elaine is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and proud grandmother. She lives in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she finds joy in the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the simple moments that come with family life. Deeply American and proudly multicultural, she cherishes opportunities to travel, connect with people from all walks of life, and celebrate the strength and complexity of her story—and yours.
“Elaine delivers a gripping and emotionally charged narrative about resilience, generational trauma, and the power of self-determination.”
— Beta Reader 2
“This book had a profound impact on me, not only as a story, but as a lens through which could reflect on my own painful past.”
—Early Reader 3
“A beautifully told legacy of love and identity, Made in Vietnam stayed with me long after I turned the final page. I loved rooting for Elaine and seeing where she would land, knowing the truths of her parents' past. Elaine's story is powerful, tender, and deeply personal — and yet it made me deeply reflect on my relationships with my own parents. It left me wondering what stories I might never know and what truths remain unspoken in my own family."
— Sarah B.