Finding Identity Through Language: The Vietnamese Journey Home

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Daniel Nguyen Hoai Tien: Vietnamese as a Path to Self-Discovery

After graduating, Daniel moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he began working in fields related to the environment, natural resources, and community development. For many years, he has helped Vietnamese fishermen rebuild their lives after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. He founded the VEGGI Farmers Cooperative, which specializes in producing clean vegetables, tofu, and soy milk, supplying dozens of restaurants and supermarkets across California.

Daniel Nguyen Hoai Tien on his journey to find herbs in the forests of Northwest Vietnam. (Photo: Å by TUNG)

Daniel’s return to Vietnam in 2008 marked a pivotal moment in his journey to reconnect with his roots. "When I saw my father shed tears upon returning to Vietnam after over 30 years of separation, I realized that there was a deep bond between me and Vietnam, even though I could not speak the language or fully understand the culture at the time. That realization became my first motivation to learn Vietnamese and explore Vietnam," Daniel shared during a television interview in 2023.

Since his first visit, Daniel gradually developed a strong connection to Vietnam. By 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 northern 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.

Huynh Samuel An is currently working as a singer and actor in Vietnam. (Photo: Huynh Samuel An)

"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 during a television appearance.

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 has been a profound experience. Their stories are not only deeply personal but also serve as an inspiration to young Vietnamese abroad. For them, Vietnamese is 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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