Brian Thuan Luu

BRIAN THUAN LUU is the author of Flashlight in the Ocean, a powerful memoir of resilience, survival, and hope. Born to a traditional Chinese family in Vinh Long, Vietnam, Brian’s early years were shaped by love and hardship. At age two, his family relocated to Saigon, where he spent his childhood—until history intervened.

After the Fall of Saigon, at just thirteen years old, Brian made the harrowing decision to leave Vietnam alone on a wooden boat. His perilous journey left him stranded on a coral reef for ten days, waiting for the tide to rise. Under the full moon, his fate changed, and he finally reached safety. Reunited with his siblings in a refugee camp in the Philippines, he faced an uncertain future. But hope arrived in the form of a sponsorship from a Jewish synagogue in Long Island, New York, opening the door to a new life in America.

Looking back on his incredible journey—from escaping Vietnam as a boy to building a life filled with love, success, and purpose—Brian is filled with gratitude. He dreams of turning his story into a movie, inspiring others to persevere despite the odds. Flashlight in the Ocean is his testament to the power of faith, determination, and the unwavering belief that every challenge is a step toward something greater.