A Tailor Seeks A Better Life

Interviewee: Chinh V. Nguyen
Interviewer: Tuan Nguyen
Relationship: Father
Date: May 2, 2000

What is your full name?

My name is Chinh Van Nguyen.

What is your nationality?

I am Vietnamese.

What is your date of birth?

I was born on October 10, 1950.

Where were you born?

I was born in Vietnam.

When did you (move to the U.S./move from somewhere else in the U.S.) to Philadelphia?

I moved to Philadelphia around March, 1989.

Why did you leave your country/State/former place of residence?

I left my country because of the poor living conditions over there and it was hard to make a living.

What did you like/dislike about your home/country?

I like the climate in my country. It is hot all year round and I especially like the food.

Why did you choose Philadelphia/U.S?

I chose Philadelphia because I have a niece living here and so I thought that we can help each other.

How did you travel here?/What type of transportation did you use/take to travel here? How would you change that?

I got to Philadelphia by plane. There was no better transportation than airplane, so I was satisfied with it.

How did you find a place to live in Philly?

When I got to Philly my niece provided shelter for my family and me. Then later on she helped me find a place to live.

With whom did you travel? [Who did you travel with?]

I travel with my wife along with my other 3 children.

Give 1 thing you remember most about your home town and why?

I remember the tailor store that I used to own because I bought it with my own money.

How did your life change when you moved and what were the differences between the two places?

I had a better living over here than when I was over in Vietnam. It was easier to earn money in the U.S. than in Vietnam.

What did you expect about the US/Philly?

I expected to earn a lot of money and a way better condition than my country.

What did you come here to accomplish and what else do you feel you still need to do?

I came here to earn more money and support my family and let them have a better life than when we was in Vietnam.

What are the differences between when you came here and now?

When I came here in 1989, there wasn't much Asian people that I could talk to. Now there's more and more Asian people moving to the U.S.

What did you sacrifice/leave behind when you left?

I had to sacrifice all of my belongings and especially my store to go to the U. S. I also had to leave behind my brothers and sisters.

What problems did you encounter coming to the US/Philly?

When I came to the U.S. I didn't know how to speak English and it was hard to communicate with the people around me. I had to ask my niece for help when I couldn't understand what people were saying.

How much money did you have and where did you get it when you came to Philly/US?

I only had a little bit of money that I saved when I was in Vietnam.

How did you adapt to your new environment?

It was hard for me to adapt to the new environment but as time passes, I got used to it. I would sometimes tried to talk English to my children so I could learn from them.

Why do you think it was worth all your changes?

It was worth it because right now my life is better than it was in Vietnam.

What education did you have before/after you arrived?

I never got to finish middle school.

Do you [ever] regret moving? Why or why not?

I never regretted moving here because it's easier to make a living in the U.S. than over in Vietnam.

What reason would/could make you go back to where you came from?

The reason that could make me go back to my country if the conditions over there is better.

Describe your first job here. If you didn't have one, where did you get money?

My first job over here was working in a pepper factory. The job was not easy but at least I got paid and it was better than in my country.

Is there anything you would like to add?

No.