Video Stories

​Kevin Hùng La immigrated to the U.S. in 1989 and worked tirelessly through his youth to support his family while pursuing his education. In 2019, he and his wife founded Jasmine Beauty School—one of the first bilingual cosmetology schools in San Diego. Guided by the principle “skill must go hand in hand with ethics,” the school has trained over 2,000 students, helping them build stable careers. His dedication to education and empowerment has made a lasting impact, uplifting both the Vietnamese and local communities through professional development and opportunity in the beauty industry.

Mr. Nguyễn Minh Đường, a former Air Force Captain of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, resettled in the U.S. in 1975. He is now CEO of DS Fibertech Corporation, specializing in advanced thermal technologies. Beyond business, he actively supports the Vietnamese American community by creating stable jobs for descendants of HO families. With a deep sense of responsibility and passion, Mr. Đường is also a dedicated community advocate. His leadership, generosity, and commitment have made him a respected figure, inspiring others and helping to uplift and unify the Vietnamese community across generations in the United States.

After 19 attempts to flee Vietnam starting in 1977, Nguyễn Văn Có finally reached the U.S. in 1979. From a factory worker at a San Diego shipyard, he rose to manage nearly 400 employees at FTI. Drawing on his education at Bình Dương Agricultural School before 1975, and driven by passion, integrity, and a tireless work ethic, he earned deep respect from his peers. For 25 years he worked diligently as an employee, then spent the next two decades as a business owner, founding CNT Metal Solution in 2005. He is seen as a role model and a pillar of the Vietnamese-American community.

Mr. David Châu arrived in the U.S. in April 1975 at age 16. He studied Electronic and Computer Engineering and served nearly 30 years with the U.S. Department of Defense before retiring in 2015. In 1981, his family founded Minh Hương Supermarket, one of San Diego’s first Vietnamese markets. More than a business, it became a vital refuge for early refugees—offering weekly transportation and support. Each Lunar New Year, the market hosts vibrant festivals that bring joy and cultural connection. Through decades of service and entrepreneurship, Mr. Châu has helped preserve Vietnamese identity and support his community’s journey in America.

Mr. Trần Trương Sén and his wife, Lê Thu Oanh, founded the first Viễn Đông Market in Linda Vista in 1981 after fleeing Vietnam by boat. In 1982, they expanded to San Diego’s Little Saigon, opening Viễn Đông 2, 3, 4, and World Foods Supermarket—essential hubs for Vietnamese life. Mr. Sén also founded the Indochina Association, which helped countless refugees transition to life in the U.S. Though he passed away in 2016, his legacy lives on through his children, who continue operating Viễn Đông 4 and World Foods with the same passion, preserving culture and supporting the Vietnamese American community.

Hoài Huế, a proud alumna of Đồng Khánh Girls' School in Huế, brought the essence of her hometown to the U.S. when she and her husband, Diệp Nguyên Hùng, opened their restaurant in 1993—nine years after resettling in America. Guided by the belief that “prosperity comes through enterprise,” she introduced authentic Huế cuisine, including traditional and vegetarian dishes rarely found outside Vietnam. With culinary artistry and cultural pride, she preserves the spirit of Central Vietnam through every meal. Her work is more than cooking—it is a heartfelt commitment to honoring and sharing Vietnamese heritage with her community and beyond.

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.

Mrs. Trần Thị Chân was an elementary school teacher in Vietnam before discovering her passion for cooking. In 1994, she and her family resettled in the U.S. After years working in restaurants across Seattle and Orange County, she and her husband opened Phở King in Little Saigon, San Diego, in 2007. Known for its flavorful phở and signature hủ tiếu Nam Vang, the restaurant quickly became a beloved local favorite. Through her culinary talents, Mrs. Chân has preserved and shared the richness of Vietnamese cuisine, becoming a cultural ambassador and a cherished contributor to the Vietnamese American community

Dr. Dung arrived in the U.S. in 1995 through the HO program at age 16. In 2011, she took over Viet Pharmacy & Medical Supplies on El Cajon Blvd, a cornerstone of the Vietnamese business community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, her pharmacy distributed thousands of free vaccines and masks, playing a vital role in protecting public health. As a pharmacist and business owner, she goes far beyond her professional duties—offering interpretation services, helping with insurance, Medi-Cal, and utility assistance. To Dr. Dung, healthcare is not just about prescriptions, but about compassion, advocacy, and walking with her patients every step of the way. Her work reflects the strength of Vietnamese identity and her unwavering commitment to uplifting the community's journey in America.

Author Phan Lạc Tiếp, born in 1933 in Sơn Tây, North Vietnam, migrated south in 1954 and served as a Republic of Vietnam Navy officer. On April 29, 1975, he helped lead the HQ-502 naval ship out of Saigon, rescuing over 5,000 soldiers and civilians. In 1980, he co-founded the "Rescue Committee for Boat People" with Professor Nguyễn Hữu Xương, launching the “Rescue the Boat People” campaign. Their efforts saved over 3,000 refugees at sea, helping them resettle across the world. His courage and humanitarian work have made him a lasting symbol of hope and leadership in the Vietnamese diaspora.

Arriving in San Diego in 1979, Nguyễn Ngọc Hoa began by making and selling spring rolls to high school students, quietly saving every dollar to support her family during difficult times. A few years later, she opened Á Châu Sandwiches & Food To Go, offering quick, flavorful Vietnamese meals. Her journey is a testament to the resilience of Vietnamese women. For decades, her shop has become a daily stop for many—beloved by the Vietnamese community for its authentic flavors and by locals for its delicious, convenient food. Her story reflects quiet strength and a lasting contribution to cultural connection and identity.

Ms. Thanh Phương fled Vietnam by boat with her family in 1987 and resettled in San Diego in 1989. A symbol of resilience and cultural pride, she grew up in the Gia Đình Phật Tử youth organization, later becoming a devoted leader teaching Vietnamese language and culture to younger generations. Her passion for cooking shines through years of volunteering at local temples, preparing vegetarian meals for the community. Today, she owns Minh Ký Restaurant, where each dish reflects the elegance of Vietnamese cuisine. Through education, service, and food, she continues to preserve and uplift Vietnamese heritage in the diaspora.

Master Nguyễn Đại Hải, founder of Bạch Vân Kungfu and Hùng Vương Sport Club, immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 through the HO program and settled in San Diego. Seeing a lack of healthy, positive outlets for Vietnamese youth, he established a space for martial arts and fitness open to all. Through selfless dedication, he promotes discipline, cultural pride, and community spirit. Master Hải is widely recognized for empowering the Vietnamese American community, especially the younger generation, by fostering resilience, well-being, and a strong connection to heritage—making a lasting impact through both mentorship and example.

Poet and translator Nguyễn Hồi Thủ (birth name: Nguyễn Khôi Minh), born in 1949 in Hiệp Hòa, Hà Bắc, has lived and studied across Japan, Spain, France, and Australia before settling in the U.S. He has published eight poetry collections and translated over 20 books, including works by Nobel laureate Gao Xingjian. A gifted polyglot and global traveler, he remains deeply devoted to preserving the Vietnamese language. His literary contributions inspire generations, and his ongoing concern for Vietnamese heritage—especially among Vietnamese American youth—makes him a cultural bridge and a vital voice in the Vietnamese diaspora.

Founded in 1986 by Hà Đặng, a former refugee who fled Vietnam with his family in 1979, House of Ideas has grown from a small manual print shop into a modern printing business serving diverse needs—from books and posters to business cards and invitations. After several failed ventures, Mr. Hà returned to his pre-1975 trade with determination and resilience. Through hard work and dedication, he built a trusted brand known for quality and service. His success stands as a proud symbol of perseverance and progress, contributing to the identity and strength of the Vietnamese community in San Diego.

Dr. Võ Thanh Sơn (Sony Võ) was just 12 when war forced him to leave his hometown of Quảng Nam. Alone in Saigon and later fleeing Vietnam after the fall of the South, his journey reflects extraordinary resilience. Though already a licensed physician in Vietnam, he arrived in the U.S. with only the clothes on his back, starting over as a janitor. More than a decade later, he reclaimed his medical license and served patients until retirement in San Diego. He credits his success to luck, honesty, and relentless determination—qualities that have made him an inspiring figure in the Vietnamese-American community.

Mr. Đỗ Như Điện has been a committed community advocate since arriving in the U.S. in 1975. He has held numerous leadership roles, including President of the Vietnamese Association of San Diego, the Vietnamese Catholic Community, and Coordinator of the Overseas Laity Movement. He has also served as a member of the Vietnam Human Rights Network and Director of Radio Đáp Lời Sông Núi. His tireless efforts supported early HO refugees and continue to uplift the broader community. Through decades of activism and leadership, Mr. Điện has become a respected voice for human rights, faith, and unity in the Vietnamese diaspora.

Former Republic of Vietnam Navy officer Cao Văn Hoanh came to the U.S. in 1980 after five years in a communist re-education camp. Taught the craft by a fellow Navy veteran and founder of Vietnam’s famed Phở Hòa, he and his wife Hứa Mùi opened three restaurants under the same name as a tribute. Though now operating just one location, their Phở Hòa has preserved the authentic flavor of traditional Vietnamese pho for over 40 years. More than a meal, it evokes a deep sense of homeland for generations of diners, making him a cultural bridge in the Vietnamese-American community.

At age 30, Mr. Nguyễn Nam fled Vietnam by boat with his family and successfully resettled in the U.S. in late 1979. With no degree or assets, he excelled academically at San Diego City College and was hired by an electrical company at an engineer’s salary. Driven to learn, he studied finance, real estate, and tax after hours. In 1987, he and his wife opened their own office, using it as a platform to serve the Vietnamese community—not only in tax and real estate, but also in public health, social services, and empowering others to rebuild their lives.