Navigating Dual Identities

Abstract This study examines the cultural identity negotiations of young Vietnamese and second-generation Vietnamese individuals in Britain, highlighting the importance of historical and cultural awareness in navigating a dual cultural heritage. Using Hall’s cultural identity notion and Croucher and Kramer’s cultural fusion model, and a qualitative research design, the study analyses long interviews to explore how the participants’ understanding of their Vietnamese roots influences their experiences of belonging and cultural identity construction. The findings reveal that a strong connection to heritage fosters resilience, whereas a weak connection can create internal struggles in navigating a multicultural world. The study contributes to diaspora literature by emphasising the dynamic interplay between acculturation and cultural maintenance, the complexities of intergenerational identity transmission, and the role of interpersonal connection, cultural practices and internal determination in a hyperconnected world. The research bridges theoretical frameworks and empirical insights, offering ways to support second-generation immigrants in their identity formation.