The Vietnamese community has been part of the Czech Republic since the 1990s. Most struggle to earn a living but some have become successful in their new country.

Ms. Pham Thi Vinh, originally from Nam Dinh province, has lived in the Czech Republic for more than 20 years. After Vinh’s husband died, she had to take on various businesses to make a living. Now, at the age of 65, Vinh still runs a market stall. Vinh said: “I work at the market from early morning to late evening. I also have to do the housework. Life is rather hard”.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Nam, originally from Phu Tho province, went to work in the Czech Republic 10 years ago in order to earn extra income to support her family. Nam hired a small shop to repair clothes at a commercial center. Now, Nam’s life is stable and she has many regular customers: “I’m very busy. Sometimes I have to work until late at night because I have so many orders. Life is difficult when I have to live so far from my family. They have encouraged me a lot”.

Most Vietnamese women living in the Czech Republic run a business to earn their living. Ms. Tran Mai Huong is a florist in the Sa Pa commercial center. Huong says her work is rather hard. She has to get up early and sometimes loses money when the weather is uncooperative: “I work hard to earn enough money to pay for my basic expenses and my children’s education. Although we’re very busy, we still make it a habit to have dinner together, eating Vietnamese food. We always have our hearts turned to the homeland”.