John-Hoà Nguyễn
John-Hoà Nguyễn is a community leader and activist from the West Bank, who has been involved in environmental justice work, including working for the Justice for Formosa Victims nonprofit. He arrived in New Orleans as a Vietnamese refugee in 1975 and has spent almost 50 years contributing to the local Vietnamese community. John-Hoà also helped start a youth group to help educate younger members of the community on Vietnamese history.
Inside of John-Hoà’s office. He wanted to emphasize the picture which says “people helping people.”
John-Hoà protesting in front of the White House for Justice for Formosa Victims.
The outside of John-Hoà’s office, with both the American flag and the flag of South Vietnam.
Delaney Knopp:
Can you tell us about your first impressions and interactions when you came to America for the first time, and how you adapted to American and Western culture?
John-Hoà Nguyễn:
It’s beyond our imagination. Back when I was in Vietnam, I studied English from a coursebook, and I saw pictures of the superhighway. It looked like a butterfly flying, higher than a five-story building. I thought, "How could this be real?" But when we came here, it was real. You could drive on that highway like a butterfly! America is something a normal, average person from another third world country cannot imagine. But the beauty of America is that you can choose your own destiny.
Eli Schwartz:
What was your journey like, and what were some of the easiest and hardest things to adjust to in America?
John-Hoà Nguyễn:
The journey was painful. We were called the "boat people" because most refugees left Vietnam by boat. I was lucky to be on the ocean for only three or four days. But many stayed on the boat for two weeks, sometimes ten days, without food or water. We left Vietnam unprepared, in a hurry. When you leave home in a hurry, you can’t take much with you. We could only bring what little we could carry because we had to make room for people. The boat held around 40 to 50 people. It was cramped, like a sardine can. Many had no food, no water, and there was no room to bathe. But we were lucky to be picked up by American or merchant ships that brought us to refugee camps.
“The longer I live in America, the more I appreciate it, even though our government has its problems now. Here, you have the opportunity to be your own person, set your own goals, and chase your dreams. In Vietnam, if you failed one course, you had to repeat the entire year. Here, you can just repeat the course or drop it within the first few weeks. It’s amazing. The more we assimilate into American society, the more we appreciate it, and that’s why we don’t want the younger generation to take these opportunities for granted.”
— John-Hoà Nguyễn
April 27, 1975
John-Hoà and his family fled Vietnam during the fall of Saigon. They left Vung Tau by boat after evacuating from Phan Thiet. His family spent three days at sea before being rescued by the 7th U.S. Naval Fleet.
Late April 1975
John-Hoà’s family, and other refugees, were taken to Subic Bay in the Philippines. After gathering supplies, the ship continued to Guam, where they stayed in a refugee camp for three months.
May–July 1975
After Guam, his family was relocated to Wake Island and then to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, where they lived temporarily while awaiting sponsorship to resettle in the U.S.
September 1975
John-Hoà and his family arrived in New Orleans through Catholic Charities. Archbishop Phillip Hannan’s efforts helped many Vietnamese Catholic families, including John-Hoà’s, find a new home.
December 1975–January 1976
John-Hoà’s first real job in the U.S. was as a stock worker at a supermarket during the Christmas and New Year holiday season. This job provided his first income in the U.S.
1975–1976 (School Year)
During the school year (September–May), he participated in a work-study program. He worked as a janitor, cleaning classrooms, washing dishes, and maintaining the kitchen at his school to support himself and his family.
Summer 1976
For his first summer job, John-Hoà worked as a busboy in a restaurant seven days a week. It was a demanding role but gave him important work experience in a new environment.
Summer 1977
The following summer, he worked as a welder’s helper in Morgan City, Louisiana, six days a week. This role was physically demanding but allowed him to earn more money and develop new skills.
September 1978
His family purchased their first house in New Orleans. Buying a home symbolized their adjustment and hard work after arriving in the U.S.
1982
After graduating from college, he began working as a teacher’s assistant in Jefferson Parish public schools.
1983
He was promoted to a non-certified teacher position but felt the need for a career that offered more financial stability. This prompted him to explore real estate.
1985
Inspired by a book on real estate investing, John-Hoà earned his real estate license. This career shift marked the start of his entrepreneurial journey.
1987
He opened his own real estate brokerage, People's Realty, Inc. Becoming a business owner allowed him more independence and flexibility while serving the community.
1990
His family purchased a larger home in a better neighborhood, ((reflecting their growing financial (business) success))
1998
After getting married, John-Hoà and his wife bought another home in an affluent area. This move represented the life and stability they had built together.
Present Day
John-Hoà continues to work as a Real Estate Broker specializing in property management. His career has allowed him to meet people from all walks of life, and he remains a respected member of the Vietnamese American community in New Orleans.