Trihn’s American Dream

Trung Trinh and his family had a dream 35 years ago to live a life of freedom and opportunity.

While that may be their reality today, the journey to it is difficult to fathom.

Trung spent 10 days at sea with his parents, older sister and other Vietnamese refugees.

Seven days in, Trung’s family and others were robbed of their money six times by pirates.

About 200 yards before reaching shore, their boat sunk in the rough waters. 

They were forced to swim to safety towards Indonesian islands.

For 11 months, Trung’s parents gathered fruit, fish and created shelter to survive.

To keep his family from starving, drowning or being killed, Hung knew escaping to the U.S. was the only option.

Trung and his family reached America when he was 6-years-old.

They arrived with only $5 in Hung’s pocket.

Hung wanted better for his family and knew education would be the best way to improve his circumstances.

After Hung graduated from a technical program, he went on to own an automotive repair shop, Hung Trinh Automotive. It is on that same spot where Trung now owns and operates Trinh Pharmacy. A front window still has his father’s business name on it where Trung honors his father’s work that got Trung to where he is today.

Before becoming the owner of Trinh Pharmacy, Trung became one of six people in 27 years to be in the Greenwood High School Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

He was also a valedictorian and spent 14 years as pharmacy manager for Kroger.

The Trinh family have come a long way from Vietnam.

They’ve left an indelible mark on Bowling Green and through their journey achieved an American dream they never have to wake up from.