Bab al-Magharba: The Gate of the Moroccans

In 1950, France drafted many Moroccan youths to fight in its wars. Some were sent to Indochina, specifically to the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Although they wore French uniforms, these Moroccans found themselves fighting alongside the Vietnamese against the French. After the war, many of these soldiers were unable to return to Morocco and instead settled in the village of Bavi Ha Tai, north of Hanoi. There, they built a landmark known as Bab al-Magharba (Gate of the Moroccans), which resembles the design of the Ambassadors' Gate.

Over time, these soldiers integrated into the local community and started families. Their children were born with Vietnamese features, and by the third generation, many still maintain those Asian features. By 1972, King Hassan II of Morocco decided to help these veterans and their families return home. About 85 families moved back to the western region of Gharb Cherarda Beni Hsen. Many chose to receive fertile agricultural land because it reminded them of their rural lives in Vietnam.

Today, the descendants of these returnees have established successful lives in Morocco. Many of the younger generations moved to large cities like Rabat and Casablanca for work or study, while others invested in Asian cuisine, opening successful restaurants in cities like Fez and Agadir, as well as in Paris. Despite their long absence, the families remain connected to their history, with many still speaking Vietnamese fluently.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata