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Daniel Nguyen Hoai Tien: Vietnamese Language for Self-Discovery

The Vietnamese language course at UCSD marked the beginning of Daniel's journey of identity discovery. In the course, he learned the language and also Vietnamese culture and history. "I realized that language is the first door to understanding the nation and myself," said Daniel. Learning Vietnamese has inspired him to continue to further explore his roots, opening up opportunities and memorable journeys in the future.

Daniel Nguyen Hoai Tien on his journey to find herbs in the forests of Northwest Vietnam.

One of the next important milestones in Daniel's journey was his first return to Vietnam in 2008. Although he could not speak the language fluently, he felt a strong connection when he set foot in his homeland.

"Seeing my father shed tears when he returned after more than 30 years, I understood that I also belonged to this place," he said. The trip not only helped strengthen his determination to learn Vietnamese but also brought experiences that made him further attached to Vietnam.

After the first trip, Daniel gradually developed a strong connection to Vietnam. In 2014, he decided to return to Vietnam to start his own business. "Learning Vietnamese has deepened my understanding of the people and culture of Vietnam and fostered powerful connections, inspiring me to develop sustainable projects aimed at supporting ethnic minority communities," said Daniel. He has since participated in sustainable development projects in Ben Tre and Lam Dong provinces; and land and forest allocation monitoring efforts in the North Central and Northwest mountainous regions.

In 2018, Daniel founded Song Cai Distillery, a premium handcrafted wine brand that uses exclusively Vietnamese ingredients such as glutinous round grain rice (gao nep cai hoa vang), Dien pomelo, and mac khen pepper. "We do not just produce rice wines; we tell the story of Vietnamese culture through every bottle, reflecting the core values of our heritage and the sophistication of how our products are enjoyed," proudly shared Daniel.

Driven by a desire to promote sustainable livelihoods, Daniel remains committed to working closely with ethnic minority communities in Vietnam, aiming to preserve valuable agricultural varieties and empower local populations with the necessary skills to boost production.

As his ties to Vietnam deepened, Daniel came to affirm, "This is my home." For him and many other young Vietnamese abroad, understanding their cultural heritage, and even themselves starts with the language. Vietnamese has allowed Daniel to rediscover his roots and become a key tool for building connections and communities.

In March 2024, Daniel Nguyen Hoai Tien is among 100 outstanding Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese individuals participating in the Vietnam Global Leaders Forum 2024, organized by the Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) in Paris, France.

Huynh Samuel An: Vietnamese as a Tool for Building Relationships

While Daniel chose business to connect to his roots, Huynh Samuel An, a Vietnamese born in Switzerland, returned to Vietnam to pursue a career in the arts. Samuel shared that, despite being born and raised in Switzerland, the Vietnamese language has always been an integral part of his life.

"Although I was born abroad, I spoke Vietnamese at home. My parents, who are of Vietnamese origin, instilled in me the importance of our language. I have always felt the need to experience and understand Vietnam, the place where my parents grew up. Through that understanding, I also come to understand myself better," Samuel shared.

Huynh Samuel An is currently working as a singer and actor in Vietnam.

At 24, Samuel decided to return to Vietnam. Initially, he encountered numerous challenges with the Vietnamese language, but his perseverance allowed him to integrate successfully and seize opportunities in the arts.

"Vietnam is a vibrant environment, rich with opportunities, not just in the arts but in many fields. Vietnamese has enabled me to better understand the culture and build strong relationships with people," said Samuel.

Now, after six years in Vietnam, Huynh Samuel An is an accomplished singer, actor, and theater enthusiast in Ho Chi Minh City. He continues to seek new roles and passionately dedicates himself to the arts.

"Vietnamese is my mother tongue and serves as a bridge that brought me to the spotlight in my homeland and has given me the confidence to pursue my passion and affirm my identity as an artist here," shared he.

For Daniel Nguyen and Huynh Samuel An, reconnecting with their roots through language is not only deeply personal but also as an inspiration to young Vietnamese abroad. For them, Vietnamese is not just a language for communication but a spiritual bond that ties them to their homeland, inspiring them to contribute to their growth and the development of their communities.

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