The journey of our family from Surrey, BC, to Steinbach, ​MB, is a story of resilience, determination, and the ​unbreakable bond of family. Lien, a devoted mother of ​eight—seven girls and one boy—decided to uproot her ​life and move to Steinbach with her partner, Phong, and ​her four youngest children. The initial catalyst for this ​move was a simple visit to friends in Steinbach, where ​Lien noticed a distinct absence of Vietnamese ​restaurants. This realization sparked a dream within her ​to bring a taste of Vietnamese cuisine to this small ​Manitoba town.

Upon returning to Steinbach, Lien and Phong began ​selling food from their condo, introducing the locals to ​the rich flavors of Vietnam. However, their venture was ​short-lived, and they were forced to shut down. Despite ​this setback, Lien’s determination never wavered. ​Through what can only be described as a miracle, they ​were given a second chance. This opportunity ​culminated in the opening of Viet House, a restaurant ​that would soon become a beloved fixture in the ​community.

During the startup phase, Lien received invaluable help ​from her daughters who were still in BC. Tila, Judy, Linda, ​and Ruby made the journey to Steinbach to support ​their mother, contributing their time and effort to ensure ​the success of Viet House. Their presence was a ​testament to the strength of family ties, as they worked ​tirelessly to help establish the restaurant. Despite the ​occasional disagreements and the natural conflicts that ​arise in a large family, their love for one another and ​their commitment to the family’s success kept them ​united.

We were incredibly fortunate to have loyal customers ​from our condo days who continued to support us when ​we first opened Viet House. Their unwavering patronage ​played a crucial role in our early success and helped ​spread the word about our restaurant. Over the past ​eight years, our customer base has grown, and we have ​been honored with multiple awards, a testament to the ​love and support of the community. Viet House became ​more than just a restaurant; it was a symbol of our ​family's unity and perseverance. We made it a point to ​extend this sense of family to everyone who walked ​through our doors. Each dish served was a labor of love, ​and we took pride in making our customers feel at ​home.

Our family's journey from Surrey to Steinbach, filled with ​challenges and triumphs, serves as a reminder that no ​matter the obstacles, sticking together and supporting ​one another can lead to incredible achievements. ​Through Viet House, we not only introduced Vietnamese ​cuisine to Steinbach but also created a place where the ​warmth of family and community could be felt by all. ​The loyal customers and the accolades we’ve received ​are a reflection of the strong bonds we’ve built with ​those around us, proving that with love, determination, ​and unity, anything is possible.