Thao Nguyen
Author & Speaker
About Thao
Thao Nguyen is an Amerasian memoirist and a healthcare professional.
As one of the “Children of the Vietnam War,” Thao was born a societal outcast in a country that saw her as an outsider—blood left behind by the enemy. In 1989 at 18, she immigrated to the United States with her mother and her younger brother as part of the Amerasian Homecoming Act.
Leaving Vietnam, Thao spoke no English, but she overcame the obstacles of attending school in English. She graduated from High School at the age of 21 with high honors and earned an award for Outstanding Attitude.
Thao is grateful to have earned a Bachelor of Science from the Oregon Institute of Technology. Since then, she has spent over 20 years working as a Dental Hygienist.
At age 31, Thao was married, happy with her career, and making good money. That was when a car accident en route to the beach for her birthday celebration changed everything. The loss of her family resurfaced past traumas, prompting the need to embrace and learn how to recover, not just from her present grief, but from a lifetime of hurt.
After the tragic loss of her family, she began a journey of healing and self-discovery that led her to write her debut memoir, Lotus Rising: An Amerasian Memoir. She is currently seeking representation to publish this memoir.
Because of the many challenges in her life, Thao is an advocate for all who have been victims of racism, and abuse, or who have suffered the crippling effects of grief. She now lives happily with her husband Louie, their twin boys Henry and James, and their dog Angus in Happy Valley, Oregon.
Thao enjoys reading self-help books and memoirs in her free time to help her live her best life. She loves spending time outdoors with her family, whether it’s hiking, boating, or just going for a walk on Portland’s many nature trails. Her husband often teases her that all she wants to do is play! She is passionate about education, parenthood, faith, and health and fitness. She actively supports various charities, local schools, and hospitals, and volunteers at her kids’ school, as well as at a local nursing home.
Thao has taught Vietnamese language classes at local churches and given presentations about oral health in local schools.
Thao hopes after reading her story, others will come to realize that it doesn’t matter what hardships life may present us with. If we are willing to change our perception, open our hearts to God, and accept help from others, we can be healed.
Not only can we be healed, but we can also gain profound wisdom.
