Yung HanG: The story of a Grants pass Alumni

In this article, Kenlee takes the reader through local business owner Yung Hang's life story, including how he came to achieve his dream of owning a restaurant and what he contributes to the Grants Pass community.

Yung hang's story: refugee to American ENTREPRENEUR

By: Kenlee Rapport

“No risk; no reward” are the words of local business owner Yung Hang, a Grants Pass alumnus who inspires the community with the moving story of his journey from Vietnam to America. Hang is a father of three children and has lived in Grants Pass for approximately 45 years. He has been a contributing member of the community since the day he arrived– learning, teaching, and leaving a positive impact on everyone he has encountered.

Hang was born in his home country of Vietnam to a successful father and mother. In the 1970s, Vietnam was in a fragile state– recovering from a war that displaced numerous local people. Lives were lost, and what once was Vietnam now became unrecognizable. The state was shattered into two: North Vietnam and South Vietnam each took a different stance on communism. In war, no one wins. Innocent people– families, workers, and soldiers required to fight-- all suffered from the devastation. Yung Hang’s family suffered from this conflict. Hang’s father was put into prison due to the unwanted success of his parents. Hang explains, “Culture, war, government, dictatorship: it took everything my parents had.” At the young age of ten years old, an opportunity to escape the country arose. Hang grasped on to it in hopes of something better.

At the young age of ten years old, an opportunity to escape the country arose. Hang grasped on to it in hopes of something better. The boat he boarded alone– without his parents– was small and carried an abundance of refugees, exceeding its capacity. During his journey, “99% of the time”, he thought he was going to die. The main goal was to survive. There was a lack of food and water, and pirates attempted to rob Hang’s boat. All of this hardship induced fear in the innocent people who were trying to find a better future for themselves and their families. As Hang recalls, a woman he knew and traveled with passed away from hunger. Seeing this at such a young age is undeniably scary and traumatizing. From then on, they continued their journey. They found asylum in Malaysia and Indonesia, where he stayed for two and a half years. A company in America sponsored Hang to start a new life.

Immersed in American culture, Hang was eager to learn to do whatever it takes to thrive in his newfound home. He got married to his beloved wife, Mrs. Hang, and had three children, who have all been raised in Grants Pass. At first, Hang started out as an electrician, and then had a dream of owning a business. His idea of owning a restaurant started out as a Vietnamese food truck, where he shared his culture and diverse cuisine with customers. The next step for Hang was to make his dream more permanent: own a building and open a restaurant that he could make his own. Hang was not all alone on his path to becoming an accomplished entrepreneur, though. He was supported by local companies from whom he received advice. Hang gives recognition to Travis Boersma, the hardworking CEO of Dutch Bros, who went out of his way to help Hang when he was just starting out. Boersma educated Hang on how “simplicity is the key” to owning a successful business. Hang took Boersma's generous advice and ran with it, hoping to make his business as simple as possible.

Picture By: Trip Advisor

Picture By: Yelp

When asked what a successful business looks like to Hang, he said without hesitation, “In-N-Out,” due to its simple menu, consistent quality, and ability to appeal to customers throughout the ages across America. Currently, Hang owns Saigon Xi Lo and Chao Saigon, the only two restaurants that focus on Vietnamese taste in Grants Pass. Mrs. Hang’s passion for cooking helped to create the wide variety of dishes that are featured in his restaurants, with pho being Hang’s favorite dish. Hang explains that it takes creativity, bravery, and the ability to always welcome challenges to be successful as a business owner. Hang says, “Every day is a challenge, but challenge is good because you, as a human being, have a purpose to achieve in front of you.” His dream is to open more restaurants so he can oversee business operations without being as hands-on with restaurant activities.

Giving back to the community– those who helped him before– is Hang’s motto. When Hang arrived in America, he found a lot of opportunity in Grants Pass. This town has “let him be who he is and do what he wants to.” The American people inspired Hang to be better. His best friend’s mom especially taught him the value of doing good. As a believer, he states, “God is his everything”, and is who he looks up to the most in life. Today, Hang likes to take his success and use it to be involved in the community and school systems. He works with organizations and churches to help the homeless population, and he contributes labor. He likes to tell his story to all, but especially those who may be struggling-- because it might assure them that life will get better. Hang also highlights how his restaurant creates opportunity for those in need of a job. “Good for me, good for everybody,” he says. As a parent, Hang values the importance of education for his children and students. This means learning about the curriculum being taught and participating in school activities. Hang is inspired to create a better future for the next generation of students. He presses the significance of contributing to your community. It does not matter how big or small the act is: it still makes a difference.

Yung Hang was thoughtfully chosen as a featured alumni of Grants Pass because he is an example of someone who does not let his past define his future. He is a hard worker, who has achieved his dream goal without the privileges granted to most people. He has opened doors to Vietnamese culture for the people of Grants Pass, and his life story is motivating.

Sources:

Interview With Yung Hang

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