Guides
Saigon Sentinel · Section
Explainers and how-tos — practical guidance written for Vietnamese-American readers navigating life in the US.
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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?…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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…
- Guides
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.…
- Guides
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?…
- Guides
Liver Cancer and Hepatitis B: Why Vietnamese People Need Early Screening
Mr. Minh, 52, a nail salon owner in Orange County, had always been proud of his good health. He didn't smoke, drank little, and worked hard every day.…
- Guides
401(k) and IRA: What are the Key Differences for Vietnamese in America?
If you are working in the U.S., you have certainly heard of 401(k) or IRA. These are two of the most important tools to help you save for retirement — but many people in the Vietnamese community still don't fully underst…
- Guides
A Guide to Reading Your Pay Stub and Optimizing Taxes for Salaried Employees
Every time you get paid, do you carefully look at that piece of paper (or PDF file)? Or do you just glance at the final amount transferred to your account and that's it?…
- Guides
Credit Score 101: Building Credit from Scratch
If you are new to the US or have just started an independent financial life, you have probably heard the term "credit score" countless times.…