Arthur Chareire hopes to reconnect with his birth mother in Vietnam.
In a quiet room in Paris, 31-year-old director Arthur Chareire leans back in his chair and softly confides in his therapist, "I've felt lonely since I was a child, even though my adoptive parents were always by my side. Maybe because I was abandoned."
This was Arthur's third therapy session, prompted by a mental health crisis linked to his adoption. After 30 minutes of counselling, he began to feel a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted.
"I've always had this fear of being abandoned. I have few friends and often feel alone. Even though I've been seeing a therapist, I still long to find my birth mother in Vietnam, though I know it won't be easy," Arthur shared.
Abandoned four days after birth
Arthur is planning a return to Vietnam in November to begin his search for his roots. However, he possesses only limited information about his biological mother from old documents and is uncertain about the outcome.
Arthur was born on August 19, 1994, at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi. His Vietnamese name is Vu Van Dau.
According to a report from the hospital's Obstetrics Department dated August 1994, the woman who gave birth to Dau was Nguyen Thi Hoi, a farmer from Duong Xa Commune, Gia Lam District, Hanoi.
He was born healthy, weighing 2.7 kilos. However, four days after giving birth, Hoi disappeared from the hospital. Staff from Bach Mai Hospital attempted to locate her at her registered address, but no information was found.
Shortly afterwards, Dau was adopted by a French family named Chareire.
Vu Van Dau is adopted by a French family named Chareire in 1994.
A life of love, yet lingering loneliness
Arthur Chareire's adoptive mother, Monique, had previously endured a failed marriage and became infertile after the birth of her second child. When she remarried, she and her new husband longed to adopt a child from abroad.
Though the family was not wealthy, Arthur enjoyed a happy childhood in Cantal, a tranquil rural region in southern France known for its natural beauty. His adoptive parents encouraged his artistic talents through music and sports.
From a young age, Arthur was told he was adopted. As he grew older, he became increasingly curious about his origins and developed a deep desire to one day find his birth mother.
"My adoptive mother has supported me in my search. She gave me all the adoption documents and my birth certificate. They are the most precious things I own," Arthur said.
He emphasised that he has never harboured resentment toward his biological mother and continues to dream of meeting her, though he fears she may refuse to reunite.
"Perhaps she was in a difficult financial situation and couldn't raise a child, or maybe there were other challenges she simply couldn't overcome," he speculated.
Despite a fulfilling life and deep gratitude toward his adoptive parents, Arthur has long struggled with feelings of isolation and anxiety over the possibility of being rejected again.
"Even in Paris, though I get along with people, I often feel alone. Having been separated from my birth mother since infancy, I carry an enduring fear of being abandoned again," he confessed.
In addition to emotional concerns, Arthur also faces the stress of running a start-up production company with friends in Paris. When the pressure became overwhelming, he turned to therapy to better manage his anxiety and work-related stress.
Preparing for a return to his homeland
One month ago, Arthur resigned from his full-time role at a film production company and began working part-time as a freelancer to prepare for his journey to Vietnam.
"I feel that now is the right time to search for the woman who gave birth to me. I want to fulfil this lifelong wish so that when I'm older, I won't live with regret, regardless of the outcome," Arthur shared.
With the help of contacts in France, Arthur plans to follow the information listed on his birth certificate. He also hopes to collaborate with YouTubers in Vietnam to spread the word about his search.
As for the moment of reunion, should it happen, Arthur said emotionally, "I haven't dared to imagine it in detail. We would probably cry. I just want to say thank you for the chance to meet again after 31 years."
During his trip, Arthur also plans to document his journey and share videos on social media featuring landscapes, cuisine, and people worldwide. Additionally, he hopes to launch a cultural exchange project between a school in France and an organisation supporting disadvantaged children in Vietnam.
Anyone with information regarding Arthur Chareire's (Vu Van Dau) family in Vietnam is encouraged to contact Dantri/Dtinews via the following:
Hanoi Hotline: 0973-567-567
HCMC Hotline: 0974-567-567
Email: info@dantri.com.vn
