With only a change of clothes eleven-year-old Bao Dang and his cousin Binh Pham, embark on their journey to America, fleeing the oppressive government in South Vietnam, circa 1980. The two covertly travel at night by a small boat down the Saigon River to open waters, where they and over 100 other "boat people" pack into a traveler, designed to hold fewer than thirty. For six grueling days, they avoid police and pirates and face the constant threat of capsizing while living on rationed rice and water. Eventually, they all find a safe haven and refugee camp in Indonesia. There, Bao harnesses the power of music to endure months of harsh living as he and Binh await the ultimate gift: Freedom.