The last name Ha comes from the popular Chinese last name “Ho.” This simple change of one letter is symbolic of the history of events that created millions of Chinese-Vietnamese refugees and their harrowing stories. At the risk of life itself, these families sacrificed everything in search of a better future in any country that would welcome them.
Born in Canada and raised in a refugee family, Hollie grew up with a childhood similar to many “normal” Canadian kids. Family dinners were always filled with stories of “the old days,” often reflecting on the luck and fortune of living in a country that provided safety, support, and opportunity.
From a young age, Hollie had a creative knack for music, movies, and the power of storytelling. She began with singing and playing instruments, which eventually led her to a degree in music production and her first job at a local record label.
In 2021, Hollie founded Holding Heritage, a company dedicated to bridging cultural gaps between generations by sharing stories, giving voice to unexpressed feelings, and creating new channels of communication for families. Her curiosity to uncover more of these stories—and to better understand the history that forced the Vietnamese Boat People to flee—sparked its creation.
Through this work, Hollie has been able to piece together the larger societal and political context that shaped the experiences of millions of refugee families and continues to impact generations today.
-Written by Hollie’s older brother, Andrew Ha
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Which ’hood are you in?
I currently live in Yaletown and spend most of my time in the downtown Vancouver area. I actually grew up on Vancouver Island in the Comox Valley, then moved to East Vancouver for university. I definitely have a soft spot for East Van — it feels like home in many ways.
What do you do?
I’m the creator of Holding Heritage, a cultural organization that helps people reconnect with their families and cultural roots. My own family is part of the Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugee community, but the work I do is meant for anyone who wants to strengthen family connections.
Through Holding Heritage, I share content, resources, and support that encourage meaningful conversations between generations. It’s all about helping people get closer to their heritage and identity, not just for themselves but for their families and future generations. At its heart, Holding Heritage is about giving people an easy first step toward preserving their family stories and histories in a way that feels real and meaningful.
What are you currently working on?
I recently released Holding Heritage’s first video docuseries, Unspoken Stories, produced with the support of TELUS STORYHIVE. The seven-episode series features candid conversations between Chinese-Vietnamese Boat People refugees and their family members, like a father and son or grandmother and grandchild. It showcases the heartfelt moments that happen when families sit down to talk.
The series also challenges the idea that older generations, especially in Asian families, are always the ones unwilling to share. In many cases, it’s actually younger generations who also struggle to begin these conversations. Even when the talks feel uncomfortable at first, the result is often powerful and deeply rewarding.
Beyond the series, I am also launching two new services to help people preserve and spark connection with their families: VHS tape digitization and personalized heritage letter translations. Both are designed to encourage storytelling and create more genuine connections across generations.
Where can we find your work?
You can find everything I’m working on at www.holdingheritage.com, and follow along on social platforms at @holdingheritage. The Unspoken Stories series is available now on the Holding Heritage website, on Spotify as a podcast, for free on TELUS Optik TV and Stream+, and will also be on STORYHIVE’s YouTube channel starting November 25.
