Day 95: Yen Ngoc Do, Nguoi Viet Daily News, Orange County, California

📌APIA Every Day (95) - Yen Ngoc Do was a prominent figure in the Vietnamese American community, particularly known for his contributions as the founder for Nguoi Viet Daily News, the oldest and largest Vietnamese daily publication and his role in the establishment of Little Saigon in Orange County, California. Born in Saigon in 1941, Do displayed both intellectual and leadership qualities from a young age, notably as editor of his high school newspaper during a tumultuous period of French colonialism in Vietnam's history.

Bo entered the newspaper business through an unconventional route. During the Vietnam War, he served as a combat correspondent for many publications, including Dai Dan Toc, an anti-establishment daily. His reporting helped him meet foreigners, among them an American professor who secured seats for him and his family on one of the last planes to the U.S., in April 1975, in the harrowing hours before Saigon fell. The Do family arrived at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps base outside of San Diego, California. They were among the first political refugees from Vietnam to arrive at a resettlement camp in 1975. At Camp Pendleton, Do continued his leadership by founding a library. Because he spoke fluent English, American military and civilian authorities who were involved in the Vietnamese resettlement endeavor began to turn to Do for guidance. The refugees relied on him to be their spokesman and advisor.

In 1978, Do founded Nguoi Viet Daily News, meaning “the Vietnamese people”, focused on informing and educating Vietnamese immigrants about life in America and events in their homeland. Starting from humble beginnings, the newspaper grew under Do's leadership into a prestigious publication with a global readership. Today, the newspaper has a daily circulation of 18,000 across the globe and in areas with large Vietnamese enclaves. In the beginning, Do sought to inform and educate his fellow refugees about the American way of life while providing accurate, timely and in-depth news about the Vietnamese homeland under communist rule.

Throughout his life, Do was dedicated to serving the Vietnamese community, providing not only news but also support and assistance to refugees and immigrants. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions, including the Sky Dunlap Lifetime Achievement Award from the Orange County Press Club in 1999 and recognition from the Asian American Journalists Association and the Orange County Press Club. Do has also been recognized with an Ethics in Business Award from the Chamber of Commerce in the city of Westminster, home to Little Saigon

In 2005, a $30,000 Yen Do Scholarly Research Grant was launched at California State University, Fullerton, to foster faculty research into the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian communities. A year later, the $25,000 Yen Do Vietnam Fellowship was established at the University of Southern California to fund research and publication of original immigrant stories written by students following an internship at Do's paper.

Do passed away in 2006, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the Vietnamese American community and the journalism industry. More than 3,000 people attended his viewing and funeral services held over four days, with President George W. Bush and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sending published condolences. In 2008, the Newseum located in Washington, DC, dedicated a permanent exhibit to Do and his lifelong work. Nguoi Viet continues to be a trusted news source and a symbol of the resilience and unity of the Vietnamese diaspora; in Little Saigon, this newspaper has been giving a community a voice for over 40 years. How can we continue to remember his legacy through place-based historic preservation practices?

LEARN MORE:

Los Angeles Times: In Little Saigon, this newspaper has been giving a community a voice for 40 years

Los Angeles Times: Yen Do, 65; Publisher of First, Largest U.S. Vietnamese Paper

Spectrum News: First Vietnamese Newspaper in US Celebrates 40 Years

The Orange County Register: Vietnamese publisher, community leader dies

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