Guides
Saigon Sentinel · Section
Explainers and how-tos — practical guidance written for Vietnamese-American readers navigating life in the US.
- Guides
Cardiovascular Disease, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes: Three Silent Killers Attacking Vietnamese People — And How to Prevent Them Starting Today
There is an uncomfortable truth that many Vietnamese Americans need to know: our community has higher rates of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease than average — and we often discover them la…
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Sponsoring Family Members from Vietnam to Visit the United States: A Complete Guide to Tourist Visas and Family Reunification from A to Z
You have settled in the United States, but your parents, grandparents, or siblings still live in Vietnam. Every time you want them to visit — whether to attend a wedding, meet grandchildren for the first time, or simply …
- Guides
Decoding US Health Insurance: PPO, HMO, EPO — Which Type Suits Vietnamese People Best?
If you've ever looked at a health insurance registration form and felt like you were reading an alien language — you're not alone. HMO, PPO, EPO, deductible, copay, out-of-pocket maximum...…
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Social Support in the US for Vietnamese: From Food Stamps to Affordable Housing, You Have the Right to Ask
Many Vietnamese who come to the US carry the mentality of "not wanting to burden anyone" — whatever is needed, they figure it out themselves; if hungry, they endure; if struggling, they bear it.…
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5 Steps to Starting a Small Business in the US: From Idea to Business License
You've had a business idea in your head for a long time — maybe a nail salon, a pho restaurant, a house cleaning service, or an online shop.…
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Want Your Vietnamese Community's Voice to Be Heard? Here's How to Get Involved in Local Government
Have you ever sat in a neighborhood meeting, listening to discussions about building new roads, cutting school budgets, or changing zoning — and felt like you were just an outsider looking in?…
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The Secret to Writing an Impressive Resume and Cover Letter to Get a Job in America for Vietnamese People
You've spent hours writing job applications, sent out dozens of applications, and then... silence. Not a single call. Not a single email response.…
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Online Security for Elderly Vietnamese Americans: Recognizing and Avoiding Digital Scams
Ms. Nguyễn Thị Lan, 68, living in Garden Grove, California, received a phone call from a number that appeared to be from the Social Security Administration.…
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Building Bridges Across Generations: How Vietnamese Parents and Their American-Born Children Can Better Understand Each Other
Have you ever sat at the dinner table with your child and felt like you were talking to someone from another planet? Parents speak Vietnamese, children reply in English.…
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Estate Planning for Vietnamese Families: Protecting Your Assets and Legacy in America
Many Vietnamese families in America have spent a lifetime building wealth — buying homes, starting businesses, saving every dollar for their children's college education.…
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The History of Little Saigon: From Refugee Camps to the Cultural Capital of Overseas Vietnamese
If you step into the Little Saigon area in Westminster, California for the first time — where Vietnamese signage lines Bolsa Avenue, the aroma of phở wafts from dozens of restaurants, and Vietnamese echoes throughout — y…
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Medicare and Medicaid: Two Completely Different Programs — Which One Does Your Parent Need?
Many Vietnamese-American families have sat around the dinner table hearing mom or dad ask: *"Hey, what's the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?"* — followed by silence.…
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First-Time Home Purchase: Essential Steps Your Realtor Won't Tell You
Buying a home for the first time is like driving on the freeway for the first time — you know the theory, but in reality, everything comes at you at once, and no one has time to explain it all to you.…
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AI for Non-Coders: 10 Practical Ways to Use It Today
You hear about AI (Artificial Intelligence) every day — in the news, on TikTok, in company meetings. Everyone talks about AI this and AI that, but most people still think AI is only for tech professionals, coders, or eng…
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Green Card, Citizenship, and DACA — Three Essential Concepts Every Vietnamese American Needs to Understand
If you've ever sat listening to a relative talk about "waiting for a green card" or "just took the citizenship test," and then some nephew or niece mentions DACA while you just nod along — this article is for you.…
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Guide to Opening Your First Investment Account for Beginners
Opening an investment account for the first time can make many people feel anxious. There are too many unfamiliar terms, too many choices, and the fear of making mistakes with money you've worked hard to save.…
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Online Marketing for Nail Salon Owners: Mastering TikTok, Yelp, and Google Reviews
In a crowded market, having a beautiful salon isn't enough if customers can't find you online. This guide provides actionable strategies for nail salon owners to boost their digital visibility and attract new clients wit…
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Contemporary Vietnamese Art: Who is Shaping the Future?
If you've ever visited art galleries in Little Saigon or followed international art auctions, you'll have noticed one thing: contemporary Vietnamese art is having a special moment.…
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Generations 1.5 and 2.0: When you are not entirely Vietnamese, nor entirely American
Imagine sitting at home, eating pho with your grandparents, speaking Vietnamese. A few hours later, you're debating a movie with your American friends, laughing and joking in English like a native speaker.…
- Guides
Employee Rights in the U.S.: Overtime, FMLA, and Workers' Comp You Need to Know
Did you know that if you work more than 40 hours a week, you have the right to be paid time and a half? Or that when your child is seriously ill, the law protects your job while you take leave to care for them?…