Refugee Camp Leadership and Arrival in the U.S.

In this episode of the Vietnamese, Kenneth welcomes Tony Lam (Lâm Quang Thống) a trailblazer, community leader, and the first Vietnamese American ever elected to public office in the United States.

Tony recounts his journey from his early life in Vietnam, through the turbulence of war, to the heartbreaking days following the fall of Saigon in 1975. Like thousands of others, he fled as a refugee and began again in Orange County, California, helping resettle the newly arrived Vietnamese community and laying the foundation for what would become Little Saigon.

In 1992, Tony made history by winning a seat on the Westminster City Council, marking a turning point for Vietnamese Americans in politics. His election symbolized not just personal achievement, but the collective progress of an entire generation of refugees determined to find belonging and representation in their new home.

Beyond politics, Tony Lam’s story represents the resilience and unity of the Vietnamese diaspora, a people rebuilding identity, culture, and hope far from home. His leadership opened doors for future Vietnamese American public servants and helped transform Little Saigon into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and civic pride.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many of you still have the chance to record and preserve the legacies of your own families. I’ve sat with families now for interview sessions to record the rich histories of parents and explore the lives of the generations that preceded them. Don’t let your family stories go untold! Take a moment to reach out and together we will bring out your family’s story on a recorded journey. - Kenneth Nguyen

Visit vietnamstorybank.com today for more information!