Born in the village of Ky La, Le Ly Hayslip endured a harrowing childhood marked by imprisonment, torture, and a death sentence before being released at the age of 14. After moving to the United States in 1970 and becoming a successful businesswoman, she chronicled her triumphant journey in two critically lauded memoirs:
Her powerful story reached a global audience when it was adapted into the 1993 major motion picture Heaven and Earth, directed by Oliver Stone, for which she served as a technical advisor. Her enduring legacy of resilience was further honored in the 2006 Emmy-winning documentary From War to Peace and Beyond.
Driven by a lifelong mission of healing, Le Ly Hayslip founded the East Meets West Foundation in 1987, where as CEO she spearheaded the reconstruction of Vietnam’s infrastructure through the building of schools, universities, hospitals, and clean water projects.
After providing homes for hundreds of orphaned children and establishing critical medical outreach facilities, she transitioned to found the Global Village Foundation, where she currently serves as Chairwoman.
Under her leadership, the foundation focuses on community development and cultural preservation by training impoverished villagers in traditional arts to create sustainable jobs. Furthermore, she honors global peacemakers—including Ron Kovic, John McCain, and John Kerry—through the foundation’s annual Bridge of Peace Awards, continuing her legacy of humanitarian relief and international reconciliation.
Le Ly Hayslip’s work has been instrumental in normalizing diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Vietnam, a mission highlighted by her participation in a historic 2000 delegation to Vietnam alongside former President Bill Clinton.
As a writer who advocates for reconciliation and peace, she has helped heal the wounds of war through her books and humanitarian efforts, leading Raintree Publications to select her as one of four inspiring Asian Americans—alongside Yo-Yo Ma and I.M. Pei—for inclusion in American school curricula.
Currently based in San Diego, she continues to lecture at universities worldwide and leads international delegations to her home village of Ky La to support local rebuilding. Today, she is working on her third book and a documentary film that will showcase her ongoing philanthropic efforts and her lifelong commitment to global peace.
