Warmly welcoming us in traditional dress, Mr Tam appears much younger than his 80 years. His beautiful little house sits on the corner of San Francisco block. Everything in his house is carefully arranged in the Vietnamese manner.

Being the first Vietnamese to earn PhD in bio-chemistry in the US, Dr Tam became headmaster of Hue Medical University and Sai Gon Medical University before 1975. He says he told a classmate after graduation that “put of human compassion, he would help and pass on his career to anyone who has the ability and willingness.” A plague bearing his oath is placed near his working table.

“I am deeply impressed by Mr Tam’s love for his career and the Vietnamese community,” says Robert Gisk, who was taught Vietnamese by Mr Tam and sent to Vietnam to implement a medical co-operative project.” Dr Tam is enthusiastic and has a wide knowledge. He wants to implement many projects in Vietnam, such as building hospitals, medical schools and healthcare centres. He is truly a Vietnamese person, Mr Gisk adds.

“Mr Tam is a great man,” says Jessica Anne Clarke, a lecturer at Washington University who has worked with Mr Tam for 17 years. She has given lectures in Vietnam many times under Mr Tam’s instruction. “I admire his knowledge of medicine, society and the arts. He is not only a Vietnamese person but also a modern American. He balances and is familiar with both cultures.”

Doctor Thanh, a former student of Mr Tam, mentions his teacher as a bright example not only for his career, but also for his morality, lifestyle and love for his homeland. Mr Thanh says: ”Mr Tam always encourages his children and grand children to look toward their homeland. His house decoration and teaching style are in the Vietnamese manner.

Mr Tam’s home is imbued with his Vietnamese identity. All his children are married in Vietnamese tradition.

He has dedicated a special room to preserving Vietnamese cultural values, such as quan ho (love duets), hat cheo (Vietnamese folk music), ca tru (festival songs), ca Hue (Hue songs), and cai luong (reformed theatre).

“Vietnamese people must look to their origins as if a tree wants to grow well it should take deep root,” Mr Tam says. “Foreigners will disrespect us if we forget our roots. We bring Vietnam’s beauty, civilization and speciality to the US and we should be proud of being Vietnamese people. ”