Thap
Thap is the main character of "Open Arms." He is a North Vietnamese and a fervent communist at first glance. He conspires with the Australians because the communist party murdered his family.
Mr. Green
Mr. Green is the parrot and foil of the short story sharing his name. He is inherited by the protagonist when her great grandfather dies. As he ages, Mr. Green becomes melancholy and suicidal, so she kills him eventually. His character represents the dying age of misogyny in this young girl's life as she comes into her identity as a woman.
Kanh
He is the protagonist of "The Trip Back." In the story he's tasked with driving his wife's grandfather back home from the airport. When he realizes that the old man has Alzheimer's, he becomes distraught wondering if he were in the same position what he would do if he forgot his wife.
Mr. Chinh
Mr. Chinh is the grandfather in "The Trip Back." He is an old man troubled with Alzheimer's disease. Tragically, he has forgotten who his daughter is. At all times he is accompanied by his cousin Huong, who helps him when he can't remember things.
Miss Noi
She is the protagonist of "Fairy Tale." Her residence and marriage are both a product of the Vietnam War. After the war she married a U.S. solider and moved to America with him. She's unhappy with her situation though and divorces him to return to prostitution. One day she falls in love with a veteran, Mr. Fontenot, who treats her well, and she married him.
Mr. Fontenot
He marries Miss. Noi in "Fairy Tale." A Vietnam veteran, Mr. Fontenot is able to connect with her culturally. He meets her in a brothel but quickly falls in love and asks her to marry him.
Ted/Thieu
Ted escaped with his wife from Vietnam when they were both young. He didn't adapt to the American culture in Louisiana well, so he struggles with the language and customs frequently. In an attempt to stay in touch with his heritage, Ted tries desperately to educate his unwilling son about Vietnamese culture.
Burom
Burom is the wife of the protagonist in "Love." She is a beautiful bride, often arousing the insatiable jealousy of her husband. When they move to New Orleans from Vietnam, she is suspected of having an affair, which drives him to take insane measures.
Giau
Giau is the protagonist of "Snow." She's a Vietnamese who worse in a Chinese restaurant in Louisiana. On Christmas Eve she meets an Jewish man, Cohen, with whom she really connects. Despite differences of background, religion, and culture, they feel like long lost friends. She's willing to take a risk on this strange American.
Gabrielle
She is a Vietnamese woman married to a former Vietnamese soldier, Vinh. She narrates the story of "The American Couple." Unable to understand her husband's political views, she carefully watches him interact with the husband of a couple they meet while on vacation. Her experiences during the Vietnam War unfold over the course of the story as she tries to make sense of her husband's behavior and opinions.
