Jacques Nguyen was born in 1974 in Saigon, Vietnam. He and his family moved to Portland in 1992 through the H.O. Program. Immediately after arriving in Oregon, Nguyen attended Grant High School and lived in an apartment complex known as Halsey Square. Nguyen went on to attend Portland Community College, University of Portland, and Portland State University, attaining a degree in electrical and computer engineering. Outside of work, Nguyen uses his technical expertise to assist his church, Our Lady of La Vang with IT solutions and database management.

Jacques Nguyen begins the interview by explaining what his life was like in Vietnam. Nguyen’s father, a former South Vietnamese army official, was imprisoned for eight years following the Fall of Saigon. Nguyen was able to graduate from high school in Vietnam but did not have the option to pursue further education. Next Nguyen explains how he and his family immigrated to the U.S. through the H.O. Program and talks about some of his first impressions of Portland. From there, Nguyen discusses Halsey Square, the apartment complex where he first settled with his family. Nguyen goes through his educational experience at Grant High School, PCC, UP, and PSU and summarizes his career history as a computer and electrical engineer. Nguyen is asked about Our Lady of La Vang, Portland’s Southeast Asian vicariate, and he explains a bit about his work with the church and involvement in the community. Nguyen concludes the interview by discussing some differences he sees between varying generations of Vietnamese immigrants.