Daughters of the Secret War

By Kaying Vang

Surviving war. Rebuilding lives. Preserving legacy.

Daughters of the Secret War brings together fifty Hmong women whose lives were shaped by the Secret War in Laos, a largely unknown chapter of the Vietnam War, and the generations of displacement that followed.

From childhoods disrupted by conflict to refugee camps in Thailand, and from resettlement in America to rebuilding families and communities, these deeply personal narratives illuminate a history often left untold. Through loss, migration, resilience, and cultural preservation, these women share stories of courage that span decades.

This collective memoir reveals the human cost of war beyond the battlefield. It honors mothers, daughters, and grandmothers who carried memory across borders in the aftermath of war, preserving language, tradition, and identity while forging new beginnings in unfamiliar lands.

Each chapter offers an intimate reflection on survival, faith, sacrifice, and transformation. Together, their voices form a living archive of Hmong history rooted in endurance and hope.

More than a memoir, Daughters of the Secret War is a testament to strength in the face of silence. It stands as a record for future generations and an invitation for readers to witness stories that must never be forgotten.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1977287158
• ISBN13: 9781977287151
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Outskirts Press
• Length: 680 Pages
• Weight: 1.97 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"