In 4/1975, thousands of Vietnamese children were evacuated abroad as part of Operation Babylift. Chantal's adoptive parents responded to a local newspaper appeal, registering to adopt a child.

Chantal arrived in Adelaide as an infant, nestled in a small cardboard box resembling a shoebox. Her umbilical cord was still attached, and her papers identified her as "Le Thi Ha", born in 1/1975. Amidst the chaotic evacuation, further information was unavailable.

Chantal's parents divorced when she was two. She grew up with three brothers and one adopted sister, who joined the family at 5 years old. Despite being loved by her family, Chantal rarely questioned her origins. However, as a teenager, derogatory comments about her Asian appearance led Chantal to want to conceal her background. She dyed her hair and got numerous tattoos.

Chantal Doecke in front of the Onkaparinga River, Adelaide, Australia. *Photo: The Guardian*

Chantal stated that her desire to find her roots began after the birth of her first daughter in 1995. She would often observe her daughter for hours, then examine herself in the mirror. "Jade resembles me, so who do I resemble?", Chantal recalled asking herself.

After having two more sons and one daughter, Chantal's resolve to find her biological family grew stronger. In 2004, she returned to Vietnam for the first time with her adoptive mother. Surrounded by people who shared her appearance, she felt a connection but found no clues about her past.

In 2015, Chantal revisited Vietnam for a reunion of individuals evacuated during Operation Babylift. Participants underwent DNA testing, hoping to find relatives. Results indicated Chantal had distant relations with 12 people, but no one expressed interest in pursuing further connections.

Nearly 10 years later, a television program offered to assist Chantal in her search. Claire, a producer for the show, sent Chantal a new DNA test kit. The program, however, ceased production due to lack of funding, and Chantal forgot to check the results.

In 7/2024, Chantal's daughter logged into her mother's DNA account and discovered a match: a brother named Glenn, living in Brisbane, more than a two-hour flight from Adelaide. Chantal located Glenn's social media profile and noticed their striking resemblance; both were born in 1975.

In 11/2024, Glenn initiated contact with Chantal. During their two-hour conversation, Glenn expressed his shock at the DNA results, having been unaware he had a twin sister. Two months later, Chantal flew to Brisbane to meet him.

In the weeks that followed, communication between them gradually diminished. Glenn's wife explained that her husband needed time to process this revelation.

Chantal said she understands that reunions do not always yield the expected outcomes. Her biggest questions remain unanswered: she does not know her biological parents, why she and her brother were separated, or who was responsible for their family's split. Despite this, the journey of searching has helped Chantal realize she is stronger and more persistent than she once believed.

Ngoc Ngan (Source: The Guardian, ABC News)