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COVER STORY By Naiia Lajoie

BICHLIEN NGUYEN

Bichlien Nguyen hails from Hue city in community; she helps those who are sick US’ largest Vietnamese arts & culture nonprofit
central Vietnam, the nation’s former capital and/or in need. She donates in order to help organization named Bichlien the “Mother Au
during the Nguyen Dynasty. In 1975, she provide food and education to orphans, as well Co” (Mother of Vietnam).
and her family moved to Saigon, only to as housing to the less fortunate back in her
flee Southern Vietnam thereafter amidst the mother country of Vietnam. Whenever she can Bichlien‘s hard work – from her humble
country’s hardships. Having such a regal she participates in community events, supports beginnings abroad, to her climb in corporate
namesake coupled with a tumultuous escape various charities, and is perpetually involved in America, and her gracious nature – did not go
almost serves as an auspicious omen for the fundraising programs. unnoticed. In March of 2018 she was crowed
lofty goals she would ultimately achieve and Mrs. Vietnam California, and later went on to
expectations she would come to surpass. When she is not volunteer-emceeing during capture the Mrs. Asia USA International title
many of the Bay Area’s Vietnamese community in November of the same year. In retaining
During her time in Vietnam Bichlien studied events, she gives her time as a fashion model her humility throughout her activism in
Vietnamese literature while attending Saigon to multiple Vietnamese Ao Dai designers. She the Vietnamese community and support of
University. After landing in America she graces the catwalk in order to raise funds for multiple charitable programs, she has provided
continued her education, graduating from UC the many aforementioned causes she believes a shining example to all Vietnamese-American
Davis with a Bachelor Degree’s in Computer in. Also a singer, she shares her talent with the women.
Science. community, furthering awareness for certain
non-profits that align with her own platform. All of this illustrates that Bichlien truly is more
Over the years she worked her way to the than just a foreign beauty. She maintains her
position of software manager, leading software These actions lead to Bichlien becoming role as a good wife, takes pride in being a good
engineering teams in large-scale high-tech very well known in Northern California’s mother, and is simply a good person. It is within
companies across the United States. Today Vietnamese community. Her many accolades her inherent nature to want to better society. By
she is a Senior Program Manager, drafting include being the first Vietnamese television participating in the Mrs. Asia USA competition
large contracts across multiple companies & newscaster for San Jose’s channel 48, as well as she brought to light the value of Vietnamese
organizations and leading business deals with being on-air on Trung Duong Television. Her tradition, contributing its art & culture to the
costumers both domestically and around the passions include art and literature, harkening 30th anniversary of the pageant, put on by
world. back to her Saigon degree days. She selects Virgelia Productions. Moving forward she only
non-profit organizations to volunteer for which hopes to continue her journey in exuding love
Despite being in such a high-octane work preserve and cultivate Asian art & culture. and passion, by continuously serving humanity
environment, Bichlien lives to serve the During the Ao Dai Festival in May of 2018, the in any capacity she can. n

Bichlien was the model wearing the Vietnamese Queen costume.
She played the role of the last queen in Viet Nam “ Nam Phuong Hoang Hau” .
Picture was taken at the fund raising event at Blackhawk Museum in Blackhawk CA to raise fund to support
the orphan kids in Hue City, and to provide wheel chairs for disable people in Viet Nam.

Photographer: Long huynh
Make Up Artist: Phi Ngoc Nguyen

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