The Happiest Refugee is first and foremost about family and the ties that bind families together. From the opening chapters, Anh’s family survives Communist Vietnam both through their family ties. When his mother and father first become engaged, Tam risks his life to help free two of his brothers-in-law from a communist camp. During the escape from Vietnam, the entire family works together to survive the weather and pirate attacks. In Australia, although no one has much of anything, they share what they have, and Anh grows up knowing that everyone surrounding him will sacrifice to make sure he has what he needs. His father’s abandonment of his family responsibilities is portrayed as his ultimate failing, and it takes a long time for his family members to forgive him. Some never do. The theme of extending forgiveness to family is also illustrated in the story of Uncle Six, and how his father’s affair was forgiven by his wife, who raised Six as her own.

As Anh grows up, family is expanded to include his new in-laws. Although he could not be more different from Suzie and her family, they make pains from the start to include and welcome him.