Guides
Saigon Sentinel · Section
Explainers and how-tos — practical guidance written for Vietnamese-American readers navigating life in the US.
- Guides
Your Rights When Encountering Police: An Essential Guide for Vietnamese Americans
One wrong statement during a traffic stop can escalate a situation dangerously — but just a few legally correct statements can protect you completely. Here is what American law actually allows you to do.
- Guides
Who Has the Right to Vote in the United States? A Voter Eligibility Guide for Vietnamese Americans
Having a green card for decades does not mean you have the right to vote — voting rights in the U.S. are tied to citizenship, not length of residence. These are the specific conditions that many Vietnamese American famil…
- Guides
U.S. Immigration Law: What Vietnamese People Need to Know About Recent Refugee Policy Changes
A new Supreme Court ruling has significantly narrowed asylum seekers' appeal rights at the border — but this is just one of many major changes that Vietnamese communities need to understand clearly to protect themselves …
- Guides
Affordable Housing Support Programs for Vietnamese Americans: A Comprehensive Guide
Many Vietnamese American families don't realize that the U.S. government has dozens of housing support programs — from monthly rental subsidies to home purchase loans requiring zero down payment. The specific conditions,…
- Guides
Protecting Your Personal Finances When Global Stock Markets Shake: A Practical Guide for Vietnamese Americans
Every time Asian markets shake, it can reach your retirement account in the U.S. within hours. Before you panic, understand five principles that help Vietnamese Americans preserve wealth — no matter what the market does.
- Guides
The Bay Area Economy is Changing — What Does the Vietnamese American Community Need to Understand to Avoid Getting Left Behind?
With commercial rents in Oakland rising 18% over three years and urban redevelopment policies reshaping many neighborhoods, Vietnamese American businesses stand at a crossroads: adapt or be swept away. Here is what you n…
- Guides
Understanding Illinois' New Cryptocurrency Tax Law: What the Vietnamese American Community Needs to Know
Many Vietnamese Americans in Illinois hold or trade crypto without realizing that exchanging one coin for another or sending money to Vietnam using stablecoins can create tax obligations. The new law signed increases pen…
- Guides
AI-Powered Fraud Growing More Sophisticated: How to Protect Yourself and Your Vietnamese-American Family
Interpol recently warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a new weapon for cybercriminals across Asia — and the Vietnamese-American community in the United States is no exception.…
- Guides
U.S. Social Security: A System Under Strain and What Vietnamese Americans Need to Prepare for Retirement
The Social Security trust fund could be depleted in the early 2030s — but that is not the only issue Vietnamese nail salon workers, small business owners, or recent immigrants need to know about. The unique circumstances…
- Guides
When Floods Come: What Vietnamese Americans in the US Need to Prepare and Do to Stay Safe
Flooding in Texas once again shows that natural disasters can strike at any time — and advance preparation is the only thing you can control. From how to read flood warnings to assistance rights for immigrants, here is w…
- Guides
How to speak at city council meetings: Your rights and the secrets to being heard
Many people in the Vietnamese community do not realize they have the right to speak at city council meetings — and you do not need to be a U.S. citizen to do so. Here is how to prepare so that your two minutes at the pod…
- Guides
Land and Home Ownership in America vs. Vietnam — What Vietnamese Americans Need to Know
From red books to deeds, from land use rights to permanent ownership — the real estate systems of America and Vietnam differ from the ground up. Understanding these differences correctly helps Vietnamese Americans protec…
- Guides
Maintaining Physical and Mental Health as You Enter Middle Age in America
Health researchers in America have recently referred to middle age as a "breaking point" — a period when accumulated stress, chronic diseases begin to emerge, and mental health is most easily overlooked.…
- Guides
Navigating Current U.S. Immigration Policy: A Practical Guide for the Vietnamese-American Community
From sponsoring parents to your right to remain silent when meeting with immigration officials — the U.S. immigration system has many layers that not everyone fully understands. This article breaks down each legal status…
- Guides
What Is an Immigration Hearing — and Your Rights Before Immigration Court
Receiving a summons to immigration court does not mean the end of the road. But if you don't know what rights you have — the right to remain silent, the right to appeal, the right to a free interpreter — it's very easy t…
- Guides
Alzheimer's Disease: Recognizing Early Signs and How Vietnamese Families Can Support Their Loved Ones
From language barriers in diagnosis to the concept that "family matters should not be discussed outside the home" — there are unique challenges that Vietnamese families in America face when caring for loved ones with Alz…
- Guides
What Are U.S. Import Tariffs — and What Do Vietnamese-American Businesses Need to Know to Avoid Losses?
Many Vietnamese shop owners and importers are paying customs tariffs without knowing they can claim part of it back — or are paying the wrong amount because they don't understand commodity codes. These are things you nee…
- Guides
Protecting Family Health After Wildfires: A Practical Guide for Vietnamese Americans in Southern California
When the fire goes out, many families think the danger is over — but the EPA has found lead, arsenic, and cancer-causing substances in dust and soil at cleanup areas after the Los Angeles fires. Here's what you need to k…
- Guides
America's Green Card Is Changing: A Guide for Vietnamese People Not to Get Lost in the Immigration Maze
Immigration policy news changes constantly — but what matters more is knowing how to read and respond correctly, rather than panicking with every news story. This article shows you how to monitor the Visa Bulletin, under…
- Guides
Keeping Your Home Cool and Saving Electricity When Air Conditioning Parts Are Scarce: A Practical Guide for This Summer
Air conditioning breaks down but parts are unavailable — that is the reality many families are facing this summer. But with a few simple adjustments inside your home, you can reduce perceived temperature and significantl…