Winston Lee & Nha Trang Lounge

In 1985, Winston Lee (Vietnamese name: Nguyễn Văn Hoa) fled Nha Trang, surviving 29 harrowing days at sea with 26 others, enduring starvation and near-death, before being rescued by a Japanese ship. The trauma remains vivid after 40 years—he witnessed a child die on the boat and four friends disappear at sea. Though he held various jobs, fate led him to the restaurant industry. His restaurant, Nha Trang, has become a beloved gathering place in San Diego—not just for food and music, but as a hub for Vietnamese community events, making him a steadfast contributor to cultural preservation and unity.