Galang Refugee Camp

Kamp Pengungsi Vietnam Galang

The former UN refugee camp on Galang Island, where about 250,000 Vietnamese “boat people” were housed from 1979 to 1996. Barracks, a church, the Quan Am Temple, a cemetery and refugee boats survive, making it a deeply moving historical site.

After the Vietnam War ended, large numbers of Vietnamese fled by small boats. They became known as the “boat people.” In 1979, the Indonesian government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees set up a refugee camp on Galang Island. It closed in 1996, having housed about 250,000 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees who were waiting to be resettled in third countries or repatriated. Today the camp is an open historic site. Among the tropical forest lie the remains of former barracks, a hospital, a school and UNHCR office buildings. The Catholic church, Protestant church and Quan Am Temple (Chùa Quan Âm) are still well preserved. A small museum displays refugees' identity photos, diaries and everyday belongings. By the sea, several wooden boats that once crossed the ocean are on display. There is also a cemetery where over 500 people who died in the camp are buried, along with a “Humanitarian Monument.” Entry is a small fee, subject to change on site. Getting there: Galang Island is about 50–60 km from downtown Batam. It takes about 1–1.5 hours by car across the Barelang Bridges, so you need to hire a driver or join a tour. It is often visited alongside the bridges and seafood restaurants. Note: The site is large and there is no public transport, so arrange for your driver to wait. There are monkeys in the camp, so do not feed them. Keep a respectful silence in the cemetery area.

Galang Refugee Camp

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