BUI DIEM

1923 - 2021

DIEM BUI DIEM Bui Diem, born on October 1, 1923 in Phu Ly, Vietnam, passed away peacefully in his sleep on October 24, 2021 in Potomac, Maryland. At a young age, he was blessed as a remarkable scholar, excelling at his passion for mathematics. He was mentored by his uncle Tran Trong Kim, the Prime Minister of Vietnam in the government of Emperor Bao Dai which led to his distinguished career in politics. At age 31, Bui Diem became a member of the delegation to the 1954 Geneva Peace Conference. He also founded the Saigon Post, the first English newspaper in South Vietnam, creating a free and independent press in Vietnam. In 1956, Bui Diem wrote and directed the movie Chung Toi Muon Xong (We Want To Live). In 1965, he was appointed the Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Phan Huy Quat, which then led to his appointment as Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States by President Nguyen Van Thieu and served from 1967 until 1972. Bui Diem was instrumental in the Paris Peace Accords in 1973 representing the government of South Vietnam and was re-appointed Ambassador at Large and served until April 1975. After the Vietnam War, he settled in the United States and became a scholar to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and at the American Enterprise Institute, as well as a research professor at George Mason University. In 1987, he published his memoirs of the Vietnam War, "In The Jaws Of History", co-written with David Chanoff. Bui Diem will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and master Mahjong player with a gentle spirit and warm heart. His dedication to his beloved Vietnam will be his legacy, giving everything in his pursuits of a democratic and free Vietnam. Bui Diem is survived by his wife of 73 years, Vu Thi Kim Ngoc, his three children, daughter Ann Ngoc La (husband Dung Qui La), daughter Gabrielle Dang and his son, Han Bui. His grandchildren are Anh Sawyer (husband Thomas Sawyer), Hung Qui La (wife Léa Dickely), Vu Dang, and Indy Hung Bui. His great-grandchildren are Chloe Sawyer and Mia Sawyer. A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Chua Ky Vien Pagoda, 1400 Madison St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 or the International Central Committee of Vietnamese Scouting (https://hdtuhdvn.com [hdtuhdvn.com]).Bui Diem will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and master Mahjong player with a gentle spirit and warm heart. His dedication to his beloved Vietnam will be his legacy, giving everything in his pursuits of a democratic and free Vietnam. Bui Diem is survived by his wife of 73 years, Vu Thi Kim Ngoc, his three children, daughter Ann Ngoc La (husband Dung Qui La), daughter Gabrielle Dang and his son, Han Bui. His grandchildren are Anh Sawyer (husband Thomas Sawyer), Hung Qui La (wife Léa Dickely), Vu Dang, and Indy Hung Bui. His great-grandchildren are Chloe Sawyer and Mia Sawyer. A private memorial service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Chua Ky Vien Pagoda, 1400 Madison St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 or the International Central Committee of Vietnamese Scouting (https://hdtuhdvn.com [hdtuhdvn.com]).