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Photo Stories

presents visual narratives that speak without words — moments captured through the lens, offering glimpses of daily life, history, resilience, and quiet beauty within the Vietnamese diaspora. Each photograph preserves not just an image, but a feeling: the tenderness of family, the weight of memory, the strength found in ordinary gestures. Together, these photo stories invite viewers to witness the humanity, struggles, and hopes that define a community, reminding us that sometimes, a single image can convey what a thousand words cannot.

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Viễn Đông Supermarket Chain

After fleeing Vietnam by boat, Mr. Trần Trương Sén and his wife, Lê Thu Oanh, opened the first Viễn Đông Market in Linda Vista in 1981. They later expanded into San Diego’s Little Saigon with Viễn Đông 2, 3, 4, and World Foods—creating essential spaces for Vietnamese community life. Mr. Sén also founded the Indochina Association to support fellow refugees. Though he passed in 2016, his legacy continues through his children, who now run Viễn Đông 4 and World Foods with the same dedication to culture, service, and community.

Dr. Sony Vo

At just 12, Dr. Võ Thanh Sơn (Sony Võ) fled war-torn Quảng Nam alone. After escaping Vietnam post-1975, he arrived in the U.S. with nothing—despite being a licensed doctor. Starting over as a janitor, he worked tirelessly for over a decade to reclaim his medical license and eventually served as a physician in San Diego. His story of perseverance, humility, and quiet strength continues to inspire the Vietnamese-American community.

Đỗ Như Điện

Since arriving in the U.S. in 1975, Mr. Đỗ Như Điện has been a dedicated advocate for the Vietnamese community. He has led key organizations, supported HO refugees, and championed human rights, faith, and unity. His decades of service have made him a respected voice in the Vietnamese diaspora.

Trần Hoài Huế & Hoài Huế Restaurant

Hoài Huế, a proud alumna of Đồng Khánh Girls' School, brought the flavors of Central Vietnam to the U.S. when she and her husband opened their restaurant in 1993. Through traditional and vegetarian Huế dishes, she preserves and shares the spirit of her hometown—turning each meal into a tribute to Vietnamese heritage and cultural pride.

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Winston Lee & Nha Trang Lounge

In 1985, Winston Lee (Nguyễn Văn Hoa) survived 29 perilous days at sea fleeing Nha Trang. The trauma of that journey remains, but his path led him to open Nha Trang restaurant in San Diego—a beloved space for food, music, and community. Through it, he has become a dedicated force for cultural preservation and Vietnamese unity.

Kevin La
& Jasmine Beauty School

Kevin Hùng La arrived in the U.S. in 1989 and worked hard to support his family while pursuing his education. In 2019, he and his wife founded Jasmine Beauty School—one of San Diego’s first bilingual cosmetology schools. With over 2,000 graduates, his commitment to skill and ethics continues to uplift the Vietnamese and local communities through career training and opportunity.

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Nguyễn Nam Tax Services

At 30, Mr. Nguyễn Nam fled Vietnam by boat and resettled in the U.S. in 1979. Despite having no degree, he excelled in school and was hired as an engineer. Determined to grow, he later studied finance and real estate. In 1987, he and his wife opened their own office to serve the Vietnamese community—not just in business, but in health, social services, and rebuilding lives.

SD Lunar New Year Festival

The San Diego Lunar New Year Festival has grown remarkably over the past 15 years (2010-2025)—from a modest community gathering into one of the city’s most vibrant cultural celebrations. Held annually in the heart of City Heights, the festival brings together thousands to honor Asian traditions with lion dances, live performances, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. What began as a small, grassroots effort has become a proud showcase of Vietnamese heritage and the rich diversity of San Diego’s immigrant communities.

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