
The Incredible Story Of David Tran: From A Vietnamese Refugee To An American Billionaire

Some four decades ago, a Vietnamese refugee named David Tran, left his country and arrived in Los Angeles, California. It was 1978 when the then 33 years old David Tran fled his country with the dream of building a billion-dollar worth of hot sauce business in the United States. As he left his homeland, the Vietnamese refugee only had 100 ounces of gold.
By then, these assets translate into a mere $20,000. Not that much money to move to the U.S. for sure. But David Tran had dreams! So, he made it all the way from Vietnam and Hong Kong to the U.S. in 1978 – all through freighters. In Hong Kong, he spends at least 7 months in refugee camps before reaching the U.S. When he made it to the U.S., he first moved to Boston Texas, before getting settled in Los Angeles, California.

Quora / In 1978, when David Tran fled his homeland, he only had 100 ounces of gold – worth $20,000 by then.
As he settled in LA, which was one of the most developed cities in the U.S. back then, David Tran sold some of his owned gold. Early reports tell us that his sold gold earned him $15,000. The entrepreneur-minded David used this money to buy a building in Chinatown – that contained 2500 square feet building. He then kickstarted his sauce business named Huy Fong. The Vietnamese refugee turned entrepreneur named his business after the freighter that he took while traveling to the U.S.
As the business kickstarted, the Vietnamese refugee – who was all set to be an American billionaire – noticed that he lacks a budget. The lack of resources and unfamiliarity with the English made his journey more troublesome. But guess what? The entrepreneur-minded David Tran never thought of quitting. Instead, he continued his tiny little business operation in Chinatown.

Twitter / After settling in LA, David Tran sold his gold and kickstarted his sauce business in Chinatown, named Huy Fung.
David Tran has this view of making spicy and yummy sauce. So, he stayed committed to his unattained dreams and continued to make hot sauces that he called Sriracha. Essentially, the term refers to a special food that is popular in Thailand.
Fast forward to 2023, some 4 decades after David’s brave move of his life, Sriracha is one of the leading sauce businesses in the U.S. The company brings billions of dollars in revenue and Sriracha is one of the favorite sauces of every American today.

Business Insider / Sriracha, originally named Huy Fung, the brainchild of David Tran, is one of the leading sauce businesses in the U.S. today.
As he reflects on his journey – from being a Vietnamese refugee to an American billionaire, David Tran is glad that he made the bold move back in the 70s. He recalls that his wealth and fame today are nothing more or less than the fruits that he sow some 4 decades ago.
In an interview with Forbes, David Trans suggests that no dream is worth dwelling on. He recalls his early days of struggle as he enjoys a lavish and opulent lifestyle in LA today. Long story short, the Srirach that you enjoy on your dinner table has a surprisingly heartwarming story behind it. The maker of this yummy and spicy sauce is none other than David Tran – who was once a refugee in Hong Kong.
More in money and fame
-
`
Billionaire Investor And PaypPal Founder – Here’s What You Should Know About Peter Theil
Peter Thiel is best known as the billionaire technology investor who co-founded PayPal and Palantir, a massive data analysis firm (and...
November 26, 2022 -
`
The Best Email Newsletters You Can Subscribe to Get Your Daily Dose of Financial Advice
Money newsletters are trending big time right now. Substack, a newsletter platform, and the speedy circulation of hot news through social...
November 25, 2022 -
`
You Should Always Spend More Money On These Five Things
There are reasons why we should learn to save first and spend afterward. But is that the way to work your way...
November 20, 2022 -
`
A Look Back At The Mind-Blowing Career Of Australian First Female Pilot
Being a pilot is a whole different vibe, says Mary Earnshaw, who has been flying in the skies since the 70s....
November 19, 2022 -
`
How To Embrace A Zero Waste Lifestyle
For most of us, recycling was never a part of our lifestyle a few years back. Rural areas lacked a curbside...
October 24, 2022 -
`
How To Start A Home Staging Business
Home staging business is rapidly gaining ground these days and has caught the fancy of several entrepreneurs. This industry can lure...
October 20, 2022 -
`
Top Five Swiss Banks Where The Ultra-Wealthy Hoard Their Money
FINMA or the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority is a regulatory body which controls all financial institutions located in Switzerland. If...
October 18, 2022 -
`
Five Things You Should Start Doing Immediately To Increase Your Wealth
If somebody tells you that they have a get-rich-overnight scheme for you, know that they are simply trying to increase their...
October 13, 2022 -
`
This Is Exactly How Expensive Living In The Big Apple Can Be
Everybody in America knows New York City is super-expensive. No matter how much the city lures you to move in, it...
September 26, 2022
You must be logged in to post a comment Login