• DrEmily@Tribune.LA.com
• Lyllian@TribuneLA.com
• Quynh@TribuneLA.com
Executive Director
Dr. Emily Letran
Director of Business Development and Community Outreach
Lyllian Nguyen
Director of Public Relations
Michael Silvers
Graphics and Layout Designer
Blessy Mae Pacot
Column Editor
Austin Nguyen
Contributors
• Dr. Emily Letran
• Quynh Nguyen
• Hanh Le
• Huyen Trang Nguyen
Photos
• Michael Bezjian
• Chanh Nguyen
• Elina Kabakova
Dr. Emily Letran
Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. - William Arthur Ward
Happy Holidays!
Once again, we arrive at the end of the year, feeling thankful for all the blessings we received over the past 12 months.
Eight months ago, the visionary CEO of the Los Angeles Tribune, Moe Rock, invited me to collaborate and start the Los Angeles Tribune – Viet Nam Journal. Our team—Lyllian Nguyen and Quynh Nguyen, who are already influencers in their own communities—connects with business owners and leaders to share their stories and journeys of growth. We are grateful to have readers from all six continents and the support of businesses globally.
With the busyness of the holiday season, we encourage everyone to pause, take a moment, and count your blessings. We may have had challenges—some personal, some business. There may have been losses—people who come and go from our lives, opportunities missed, and plans not accomplished. Above all, there were memorable wins, new partnerships, and horizons to be discovered. Please take the time to reflect on what you have done and allow yourself the moments to dream!
We are sending you, your family, and friends best wishes this wonderful season. Cheers to a joyous New Year of Peace, Love, and Success!
All rights reserved 2024. The views and opinions stated in this publication are those of the writers and do not represent those of LA Tribune - Viet Nam Journal. Replication of this content without prior permission from the authors is prohibited.
Dr. Emily Letran and Quynh Nguyen
O
n November 23, 2024, the Los Angeles Tribune –Viet Nam Journal team had the privilege to attend the premiere of “Ectropy: From Chaos to Order,” a short film by Sir Daniel Winn.
Sir Daniel K. Winn is an internationally recognized artist, fine art curator, award-winning entrepreneur, and highly respected philanthropist. In recognition of his support to humanitarian causes in the United States and Asia, Winn was knighted in 2018 under the Princely House of Schaumburg-Lippe-Nachod – one of only five recipients of the title in the history of the royal family.
As a child refugee to the United States from Vietnam, Winn excelled in academics. He studied medicine but left to pursue art during his study of reconstructive surgery at UCI School of Medicine. He developed his own artistic philosophy, “Existential Surrealism,” and his work has been featured at esteemed exhibitions worldwide. He is the Founder of Winn Slavin Fine Art, one of the most prestigious art galleries in Beverly Hills.
What makes Sir Daniel Winn special to Vietnamese people is that he is “one of us.” Daniel can be seen at many functions and celebrations hanging out with celebrities as well as fans. When he premiered his short movie “Ectropy,” we had the opportunity to chat with him and his talented team on the red carpet
His inspiration for the movie is “universal truth,” the fact that everyone can embrace their existence and make this world a better place. Cinematic art is a great way to communicate with his audience about his philosophy. He specifically asked the director to create a film without dialogue because he wants the film to be universally understood. Going from one medium to another – from painting and sculpture to acting and cinematic art – is extremely ambitious, and fusing these media together required a very talented team. “If you’re very passionate about what you love and do, success is how you feel within what you have accomplished in sharing what you do and love with the world – feeling that ‘you’ve done it.’” His short films are exclusively crafted for film festivals all over the world. In the near future, he will be producing a feature-length movie. Daniel is grateful for his partner of thirty years, Randall J. Slavin, and feels indebted to the patrons who support him. The best way to support Daniel, he shares, is to look in the mirror and do the best you can in your life and make someone happy. “The world needs positive energy so spread that joy.” Of course, The Los Angeles Tribune is dedicated to spreading positive news. We can all follow him on Instagram and spread joy to the world.
Quynh Nguyen got to share the spotlight with the youngest member of the cast on the red carpet, Vivienne Lucille Gaia, who looks like an angel. The most exciting part in making the movie, according to this tiny actress, is “everything!” She enjoys drawing on the wall next to Daniel in the movie. It is a joy to see such young talent in “Ectropy”; Daniel always addresses the concept of time in his artwork.
We also got to chat with Mr. Randall Slavin, the CFO and Business Curator of Winn Slavin Fine Art and the Executive Producer of the movie. He is proud to channel Daniel’s artistic vision into a different medium – one where motion and sound come together in cinema. The process of an artist creating a painting and a filmmaker creating a movie are remarkable similar, he says. The main difference is that the artist usually works alone while the filmmaker collaborates with a huge team with a variety of skillsets. “So the creative process is similar. It’s the execution that changes drastically,” Randall laughed. For him, the end result is “nothing that he ever thought it would be and is much better than anything he could have had in his life.” Winn Slavin Fine Art is Mr. Randall’s life, but he is now in deep with film production, including two more short films and two feature-length films coming out in the next few years.
Mr. Jordan Schultz, the Film Director, shares some insights in the making of this movie. A team of more than 75 people ambitiously brought Daniel’s work over 40 years to the big screen, “paying homage to Sir Daniel Winn’s cinematic universe.” He looks at Sir Daniel’s gallery and understands the potential to present years of projects and tell stories about his arts. He knows that short films take risks and that boundaries need to be pushed. He is proud to share his story making this film at the world premiere, and I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of his work in our film community.
The movie premiere was followed by a private reception at Winn Slavin Art Gallery on Rodeo Drive. Celebrities, community leaders, fans and friends were mesmerized by the art work, from pencil drawings to paintings to larger-than-life bronze sculptures. Specialty coffee personally prepared by Daniel Winn was served along other alcoholic beverages. The night was filled with love, laughter, and excitement . Our team left the gallery feeling proud, inspired, and happy for our iconic Vietnamese artist who has transcended multiple mediums globally to share his vision with the world.
The Los Angeles Tribune – Viet Nam Journal focuses on business community successes and shares stories about entrepreneurship. Recently, we reached out to Hanh Le, Founder of VCAL TV to celebrate seven years of business.
LAT: You’ve had many entrepreneurial projects, but what inspired you to start VCAL TV?
Hanh: Like many other ventures, VCAL TV isn’t just a tool for a business goal; it’s a platform that brings the voice of truth to the community. This is the main reason we started VCAL TV.
LAT: What was one of the most challenging moments in this journey?
Hanh: One of our challenges was that we were entirely new to television, which is a business that requires 24/7 attention. Our company serves as the face of the community, and each broadcasted detail directly impacts viewers perceptions. We always exercise caution with every word and message we deliver to our audience.
LAT: What was the proudest moment in this journey? Hanh: We’re proud to bring valuable news to viewers that improves their health, lifestyle, and finances.
LAT: Being Vietnamese and a woman, busy with family (and extended family), have you ever paused and said, “Why the h… am I doing this?”
Hanh: Yes, Vietnamese people often joke with each other, saying, “If you don’t like someone, tell them to start a TV channel.” In the past, I didn’t realize how much time and funding it would take. Even though there are many challenges ahead, everything has been worth the effort. VCAL has become my spiritual child.
LAT: If a little girl looked at you and wanted to be in a pageant and on TV, what would your advice be?
Hanh: I would tell her to dream big and believe in herself, but remember that true beauty shines from confidence, kindness, and hard work. Pageants and TV require more than good lucks—they’re about representing your values, being authentic, and sharing your voice with the world. Take the time to learn, grow, and develop your skills. Above all, always be true to who you are because that’s what makes you unique and unforgettable
LAT: In three more years, when your business is ten years old, where would you like VCAL TV to be?
Hanh: I envision VCAL TV continuing as a trusted and influential platform that not only serves our business goals, but also becomes a cornerstone of the community. I’d like to see VCAL TV expanding its reach, producing impactful content that educates, inspires, and connects people.
I hope we’ll continue to be a voice for the underrepresented, a source of honest and reliable news, and a platform where diverse stories are told. My ultimate goal is for VCAL TV to be recognized as a leader in community-driven television, making a meaningful difference in people’s lives while staying true to our values.
Dr. Emily Letran
I first heard of VinFast through casual conversations with friends. As a female business professional, once I had my own car to drive to my dental offices and seminars, I wasn’t interested in looking at more cars. As the first Vietnamese electric car in the US, however, VinFast caught my attention.
VinFast is a subsidiary of Vingroup, one of Viet Nam’s largest conglomerates. It is a pure-play EV manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. With a focus on key markets across North America, Europe and Asia, the company is currently embarking on its next phase of rapid growth by expanding its distribution and dealership networks globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities.
A company can only grow well if it listens and responds to what its customers want, and I saw firsthand how VinFast excels in this aspect of business when they delivered their flagship VF9. A significant improvement of their VF8, this vehicle is an all-electric, 7- passenger, 3-row SUV, released to U.S. customers on November 18th. Currently, eco-conscious consumers both in the U.S. and globally have very limited choices for 7-seat full sized SUVs, which currently has limited electric vehicle options.
It’s exciting to see them provide just what the market needs as its second model here. To sweeten the deal, the brand is offering an attractive limited-time promotion for the first 100 VF9 vehicles delivered in the U.S.: a lease price of just $529 per month for the the VF9 Plus trim. VinFast told me this rate includes a direct discount of $3,500 and a down payment of $2,000.
As new owners were checking out their vehicles, I had a chance to chat with them.
Emy Pham shared her VinFast journey. “So far our experience has been fantastic. We never had any issues. Their customer service goes above and beyond. When the vehicle needs to be updated, the technician will come to our house with a loaner car and then drive our car to the Service Center.” Her husband, Hung Pham beamed with pride. “I followed VinFast from day one. It just felt natural to me as a Vietnamese person to give the company a chance. When the VF8 came out, we were the first customers in San Diego to acquire the car. From our experience with the VF8, we decided to get the VF9, and we will be the first ones to get this new model again!” The couple also shared how they started a new circle of friends who also own VinFast cars and enjoy social gatherings and experiences
VinFast owners do not just get a car; they gain a family of friends who support the company!
Hoang Van is the first person who actually took the VF8 on a road trip from CA to Canada. “I previously owned a Tesla, and I want to support my country because I am originally from Vietnam. This ‘baby’ car has a long way to grow but it is getting better.” He recommends anyone looking into an electric car to check out VinFast because of its design and look—“aggressive, powerful, yet elegant.”
Mike Nolte, Network Sales Vice President of VinFast North America, is sharing the VinFast story to the audience
At this launch event, I also had the opportunity to interview Mr. Mike Nolte, Network Sales Vice President of VinFast US for the past 12 months. Mike is very proud to share the great development of this young company, which was established in 2017. He believes one of the unique selling points of the VF9 is its premium design and industry-leading warranty and service package, covering 10 years or 125,000 miles for the vehicle, along with 24/7 roadside assistance and mobile repair services.
Although VinFast is a young company, it already excels at building strong customer relationship. As a media partner, I was invited to a second Customer Appreciation event, where I had the honor of chatting with the company’s leadership about the accomplishments of Vingroup and meeting many proud VinFast owners who consider the VinFast team as part of their family. The evening was filled with laughter. My heart was warmed seeing the synergy, support, and growth of Vietnamese entrepreneurship in the global market.
Share my joy and visit VinFast at a location near you, www.VinFastAuto.us
Mike believes the warranty package shows the company’s commitment to its customers, helping them feel more confident in choosing an electric car. He emphasized that the VF9, with all of its safety features, is designed with family in mind and targets eco-concious buyers. When I asked Mike what the biggest complaint about VinFast in the US has been, he laughed and said the company only has 2 models available right now, which isn’t quite enough to meet the demand! Next year, the company is bringing additional models and will expand to many other continents around the world.
Dr. Emily Letran
If someone asked you what your “dream life” looked like, how would you describe it?
Every year, people make New Year’s resolutions to achieve certain parts of their dream life – losing weight, quitting smoking, getting a promotion. Most do not set up goals to fulfill their big dreams, which often start from a vision.
When we have a vision and the commitment necessary to fulfill it, our course of action becomes easier to decide. When I coach my business clients to prioritize tasks and finish the most important ones during the day – “Done By One” – I realize they do not need time management. They need attention management! Where they focus their talent and resources will determine the results and speed with which they achieve their goals.
Part of the dream in business is to rise above competition – to be different, stand out with an edge, and attract customers who pay, stay, and refer. This applies to realtors, doctors, dentists, attorneys, CPAs: The entrepreneurs who position themselves as an authority are set apart. Knowing how to do that, without spending years to prove one’s experience or achieve accolades, is a strategy I teach in courses and private coaching programs designed for business professionals at www.CoachROI.com.
You might say:
“I don’t care to be known. I just want to do well in business.” Let’s pause and recognize that usually the people who are known in media are the ones who do well in their business, from Judge Judy to Dr. Oz.
When customers come to you, they already assume you are competent. When they see that you are featured in mainstream media, you command a premium price because you rise above the competition. In my particular case, I have been featured in magazines across different industries as a speaker, marketing strategist, author, and sought-after business leader. My work also expands across verticals where I am now immersed in media – from business journals to film production and, very soon, film festivals – as an out-of-the-box business thinker and connector.
The better you do in business, the more impact you can create in your community.
Imagine having more time or money to donate to charity. Imagine expanding your business and creating more jobs. Or maybe you will be ambitious enough to run for political office and change governing laws.
You owe it to your team not to be “the best kept secret.” You owe it to your family to optimize your business with authority marketing. You owe it to yourself to be the best version of yourself. Show the world all your achievements, at different angles, to stimulate interest and create excitement and anticipation.
As we finish this year, celebrate everything you have accomplished and position yourself as an authority. Success takes time…maybe it’s been 10 years. Showing off success requires different strategies, creating carefully crafted messages to position yourself above competitors. Your accomplishments over the decades can be showcased in a video or documentary. Your achievements can be announced to the world through third-party validations. Most of all, understand that being more successful means being able to serve more people around you, whether your family or the larger community.
To accelerate and grow YOUR entrepreneurial journey with Authority Marketing, download Dr. Emily’s Action Business Acceleration guide. www.AmericanDreamCoach.com
Are YOU An Authority In YOUR Global Market?
- Being Different Is A Strength
- Leveraging Brands As A Strategy
- Write , Speak, Serve and Sell
- Collaborative Leadership Is The Fastest Way To Success
- 30+ Years CEO and Clinical Dentist
- TEDx and International Speaker
- Business Strategist For Successful Entrepreneurs
- Author of Multiple Amazon Best Sellers
- Featured on Forbes, Dental Town and Documentaries
Let’s Chat About LAT SPECIAL Today!
The ambitious project by Director Mai Thu Huyen, “A Fragile Flower” movie, was released in theaters in March 2024. The cast and crew, which comprised of Vietnamese actors from Viet Nam and the US, worked tirelessly to finish the film in the record time of 1 month. After several months post production, the film held its first screening in Beverly Hills and was released in AMC theaters. Private screenings in France and Germany received wonderful feedback and appreciation. Following the release in Viet Nam, the film will debut in India in February 2025. To date, the movie has received 17 prestigious awards at international film festivals.
As we finish 2024, the Los Angeles Tribune – Viet Nam Journal would like to reflect on the achievements of our community. These only highlight a few projects as we understand that it is impossible to showcase ALL the successes we attained. These are also the FIRST in their categories
THE FIRST VIETNAMESE DOCUMENTARY SHOT IN 2 WEEKS AND RECOGNIZED AS A FINALIST AT THE FRENCH
Meet Jenny Ai-Trinh Thai and Alan Vo Ford, two visionaries who directed and produced “Book of Death,” a short documentary about the journey of Vietnamese refugees, who risked their lives dealing with hunger, pirates, and treacherous ocean in search of freedom. The documentary was produced in record time to enter the film festival and was supported by many business owners who came to the US as refugees.
Derek Tran , son of Vietnamese refugees, is an army veteran, consumer rights attorney, city commissioner, and small business owner who will represent CA in 2025.
Although CA is the state with the largest number of Vietnamese, this is the first time we have this representation.
Derek will bring the values he learned from his parents and the mindset of getting the job done from the military to serve in Congress.
The Los Angeles Tribune – Viet Nam Journal, is a product of the visionary Moe Rock, CEO of the Los Angeles Tribune, and business leader Dr. Emily Letran. As an entrepreneur who have worked mostly with non-Vietnamese, Dr. Letran could see the need for the Vietnamese business owners to grow beyond the comfort of “local community.” The Los Angeles Tribune - Viet Nam Journal, co-produced by Lyllian Nguyen and Quynh Nguyen, is the first ambitious step of that growth.
In 2025, Dr. Emily Letran is proud to be the Co-Founder of the Los Angeles Tribune International Film Festival. The festival will feature and promote independent films together with other film festivals, The San Francisco New Concept Film Festival, San Francisco, and FLOW Film Festival in Florida.
Ngày 30/11/2024 vừa qua, Diễn đàn “Khỏe đẹp từ gốc” do TS. Nguyễn Thu Hương sáng lập đã diễn ra thành công tại Tp. Hồ Chí Minh (Việt Nam) với sự tham gia của gần 300 khách mời. Sự kiện không chỉ là một buổi hội thảo chia sẻ về xu hướng chăm sóc sức khỏe từ gốc một cách chủ động mà còn là một hành trình đầy cảm hứng, nhằm nâng cao nhận thức về sức khỏe và làm đẹp toàn diện cho cộng đồng.
Chương trình được tổ chức với mong muốn cung cấp thông tin và kiến thức về cách chăm sóc sức khỏe và làm đẹp, khuyến khích lối sống lành mạnh và thuần tự nhiên tới cộng đồng. Từ đó, chúng tôi hy vọng xây dựng một cộng đồng gắn kết, nơi mọi người có thể hỗ trợ nhau trong hành trình chăm sóc sức khỏe và nâng cấp các thói quen tốt, góp phần truyền cảm hứng cho mọi người thay đổi và hình thành lối sống khỏe đẹp từ gốc.
Diễn đàn quy tụ nhiều doanh nhân, chuyên gia trong lĩnh vực khoa học thể thao, y tế và giáo dục, cùng với các thành viên của Mạng lưới nữ lãnh đạo WLIN Global và học viên Sbody đến từ nhiều nơi trên thế giới cùng tham dự, lan toả và kết nối.
Chương trình Sbody – Khoẻ đẹp từ gốc
Chương trình SBody cung cấp các giải pháp cá nhân hóa giúp giảm cân và đảo ngược quá trình lão hóa thuần tự nhiên. Đặc biệt, SBody có thể dành cho cá nhân hay cả gia đình, giúp thay đổi lối sống và kiểm soát cân nặng cho tất cả các thành viên. Chương trình huấn luyện lối sống khỏe cho doanh nghiệp, nhằm xây dựng môi trường làm việc thân thiện và khỏe đẹp, giúp nhân sự có được nguồn năng lượng và hiệu quả làm việc.
Với 3 chìa khóa chính là Khoa học não bộ - Khoa học dinh dưỡng – Khoa học tập luyện, SBody mang đến một giải pháp chăm sóc sức khỏe toàn diện, khoa học và chủ động cho học viên. Sau khi kết thúc hành trình SBody –99 ngày gặp lại thanh xuân, mỗi học viên hoàn toàn tự tin làm chủ kiến thức, thiết lập thói quen sống lành mạnh, kỷ luật để duy trì vóc dáng, cân nặng và năng lượng của chính mình.
TS. Nguyễn Thu Hương với phần biểu diễn múa lụa mở màn sự
dành cho khách tham dự
Là một nữ lãnh đạo có khả năng truyền cảm hứng, một người vợ và người mẹ của gia đình hạnh phúc, một chuyên gia tư vấn chiến lược thương hiệu và nhân hiệu xuất sắc, nhà sáng lập chương trình khỏe đẹp từ gốc SBody, TS. Nguyễn Thu Hương đã có phần chia sẻ đầy thuyết phục với những kiến thức khoa học thực tế, sinh động về quá trình đảo ngược lão hóa thuần tự nhiên. Đặc biệt, chị còn mang đến những kết quả thực chứng từ chính cộng đồng học viên của Sbody trong 01 năm qua.
Toạ đàm:
Doanh nhân với xu hướng Khoẻ đẹp từ gốc
Các khách mời, diễn giả đã cùng nhau chia sẻ và đưa ra những quan điểm của cá nhân về chủ đề Doanh nhân với xu hướng Khỏe đẹp từ gốc. Thông qua
chính những câu chuyện thực tế của
chính các diễn giả là các doanh nhân
đang vận hành những doanh nghiệp của riêng mình, các khách mời tham dự đã có thêm những góc nhìn mới, trực quan và thú vị về việc xây dựng
và thiết lập lối sống chăm sóc sức khỏe bền vững để có thể cống hiến và trao giá trị lâu dài cho cộng đồng.
Doanh nhân Hương Lê - Chủ thương hiệu chuỗi trà sữa TeaZenTea tại Mỹ chia sẻ: “Là một người ăn chay trường, kinh doanh lĩnh vực F&B, Hương Lê luôn đặt ra những giá trị cao nhất và tốt nhất dành cho các sản phẩm, dịch vụ của mình, đặc biệt là mang tới sự đảm bảo về sức khỏe cho chính bản thân, nhân viên của TeaZenTea. Đó cũng là lí do vì sao chỉ trong vòng một thời gian ngắn sáng lập, TeaZenTea đã có 12 cơ sở tại nhiều tiểu bang ở Mỹ”.
Vinh danh Sbody King & Queen
Tham dự sự kiện, mỗi học viên, mỗi câu chuyện khác nhau về hành trình đến với SBody đã được chia sẻ và tạo nên nhiều cảm xúc cho khách mời tham dự. Hiện nay cộng đồng học viên Sbody đang trải dài ở nhiều quốc gia, nhiều tỉnh thành trên khắp Việt Nam thông qua hình thức học trực tuyến và kết nối cộng đồng, các học viên vẫn được đội ngũ Huấn luyện viên SBody theo sát, đồng hành 24/7.
Tại đây, SBody cũng vinh danh đại diện các SBody King & Queen có mặt tại sự kiện – là những học viên xuất sắc với hành trình kỷ luật, thay đổi bản thân cùng với chương trình. Đó không chỉ là những kết quả giảm cân, giảm mỡ thừa thành công mà đó là nguồn cảm hứng mới về những cơ thể mới, sức khỏe mới, năng lượng mới.
DIỄN ĐÀN KHOẺ ĐẸP TỪ GỐC 2024 do SBody phối hợp cùng mạng lưới nữ lãnh đạo toàn cầu WLIN Global và Nam Hương Media thực hiện.
Thông tin liên hệ:
SBody – Khỏe đẹp từ gốc
Hotline: 0972 724 626
Website: www.sbody.com.vn
Fanpage: SBody – New Body New Life
Địa chỉ: 98 Lâm Văn Bền, phường Tân Kiểng, quận 7, Tp. Hồ Chí Minh
