The Nail Salon Godfather – Rising from the Fall of Saigon

From Lieutenant to Nail Salon Owner

Minh Tam Nguyen, the godfather of the nail salon, is a former Vietnamese Lieutenant in the South Vietnamese Navy. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Minh witnessed countless Vietnamese individuals, like himself, forced to flee their beloved homeland in search of safety and refuge in far-off lands. With the United States being one of the most promising destinations. He is one of the hundred of thousands who seek refuge when his country fell to hands of the communist during the war. His journey was marked by trials and tribulations as he grappled not only with adapting to entirely new environments but also with the haunting memories of the traumatic events that had unfolded in his homeland.

Amidst this sea of uncertainty, many Vietnamese found solace and hope in a place called Hope Village, nestled in the heart of North Carolina. While a remarkable transformation was taking place, one that aimed to empower women by providing education and valuable skills, Minh Tam Nguyen, worked as a social worker. Helping and making sure his fellow Vietnamese get settled and started on their new life in Southern California. While he was working as a social worker, he heard and read news about the nail salon industry. Minh took his wife, Kien, to meet Thuan Le, his wife’s best friend in Vietnam. Thuan Le, is one of the first 20 women who receive education about nail art.

Minh, left social work and get his nail license and together with his wife, Kien, open up their first nail salon in 1978. The couple opened several more nail salons enabling them to save and open up their own beauty school. Minh’s contribution to the nail industry has earned him title, godfather of Vietnamese nail salon.

The Rise of the Vietnamese Nail Salons

Minh started a new chapter in his life. He opens up his own beauty school, Tam’ Beauty College, now called Advance Beauty College, at the heart of Little Saigon in 1987. The college provided vocational training in cosmetology, nail technology, and related fields, enabling many Vietnamese immigrants to acquire valuable skills and secure employment in the beauty industry. ABC, is the very first nail college and classes were taught in Vietnamese. Minh also lobbies the congress to have the exam taken in Vietnamese. Many of Minh’s student have become successful in their career as nail technicians or salon owners, leading to the upsurge of the Vietnamese nail salons.

In California alone more than 52% of the nail salon owners are Vietnamese. These percentage is way more than the other ethnicities combined. These numbers also shows a high demand for Vietnamese nail salons. Nowadays, you can find Vietnemese-owned nail salon almost everywhere. In every city of each state, there is always a Vietnamese-owned Nail salons, providing nail care to customer from all walks of life. The nail industry led to opening of new industries as well such as the merchant services or payment processing.

Minh Tam Nguyen’s dedication to empowering the Vietnamese community extended beyond the classroom. In addition to providing cultural integration and community engagement, his college also provided support to new immigrants. People who were beginning their lives in a foreign country found a sense of belonging and opportunity there.

The Legacy – the Nail Salon Godfather

Minh Tam Nguyen’s legacy is deeply engrained with the success stories of countless Vietnamese individuals who graduated from Advance Beauty College. His students have gone on to become successful nail technicians, salon owners, and beauty industry professionals. As well as helping to provide economic well-being to these individuals, his institution played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Vietnamese cultural heritage. Minh is also referred as the “Godfather of the Vietnamese Nail Industry”.

Minh Tam Nguyen is an example of the perseverance and business acumen of Vietnamese refugees who wanted to start a new life in the US. His work in the field of vocational education and community development has had a huge impact on Vietnamese-American life, especially in the beauty industry in Southern California.

On September 14, 2023, the U.S. Congress paid a heartfelt tribute to commemorate the remarkable life of Minh Tam Nguyen. Congressman Lou Correa, speaking on behalf of the Congress, hailed Minh as an enduring pillar of strength in Little Saigon and the wider Vietnamese-American community throughout the United States. He emphasized Minh’s pivotal role as an entrepreneur, one who not only paved the way but also provided vital support for those, like himself, who left their homeland in Vietnam behind in pursuit of a brighter future in America. Congressman Correa emphasized that Minh’s journey epitomizes the essence of Little Saigon, entrepreneurship, and the vibrant tapestry of the American melting pot. In closing, he extended his heartfelt gratitude to Minh for his tireless dedication and contributions.

Continuing the legacy

Tam and Linh Nguyen, son and daughter of Minh and Kien, both co-owners of Advance Beauty College, are continuing the legacy of their parents. Ever since it’s foundation, ABC has seen more than 40,000 individual graduate and continue to thrives. ABC has kept their tuition loc, a means to help their students. Tam says that “Although it’s a slow growth, it’s a steady growth, but students graduate without debt,”. Linh also thanks her parents for the family value that was taught to them. “We learned about humility, the importance of giving back, and that’s still one of our core principles at Advance Beauty College, –giving back,” Linh says in her interview during the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. 

Tam is Minh and Kien’s son, is now the chairman of Advance Beauty College. Together with his sister, Linh, they both run the school. Tam was a graduate of medicine; however, he found his passion in doing nails and have turn their family business into what it is now, a producer of highly qualified nail technician or esthetician. Linh, on the other hand is the president of Advance Beauty College. Linh is also a licensed cosmetologist, manicurist and barber for over 30 years.

Minh’s beauty school has really advance from where it was before. Now, Advance Beauty College, is located at the heart of Orange County, California. The school is offering 6 courses, Cosmetology, Advance Nail Tech, Hairstyling, Esthetician, Barbering and, Teacher Training. The school aims to continue its vision, which is to give back.  During the height of the pandemic, it has donated more than 30 million worth of personal protective equipment to front-liners and health care workers. It also aims to inspire and educate more people.

The Godmother of the Nail Salons

In Adele Pham’s documentary, Nailed IT, you will find how the Vietnamese have taken the industry to a whole new level. And one figure stood out amidst this inspiring tapestry of change, none other than Tippi Hedren, a renowned actress and a passionate activist. Her involvement was nothing short of remarkable. With unwavering dedication, she championed the cause of the first 20 Vietnamese women, enabling them to obtain their nail licenses. This seemingly small act had a ripple effect that forever altered the nail industry, especially within the Vietnamese community.

It is no exaggeration to call Tippi Hedren “The Godmother of the Vietnamese Nail Industry.” Her tireless efforts not only helped us secure a foothold in a foreign land but also empowered us to build a thriving industry that has since become an integral part of our community’s identity.