Mr. Hung D Phung was born in South VietNam in early 60’s and grew up during the VietNam War. Hung’s father was in the Army Ranger so he had been deployed from one war zone to another; therefore, Hung had to face the danger at the early age.

After the War ended in 1975, Hung was then a teenager had to balance between school and earning money to help his family at the same time. Hung sometimes travelled by train at least once a month to bring commodities from his hometown to Saigon so he can earned commissions at the age of 15. Hung received his military draft when he turned 18 when VietNam was engaged in the war in Cambodia in early 80’s. Hung’s mother had decided to have Hung escaped from VietNam even though it wasn’t easy journey.

Hung was in a tiny boat for ten days and nights, which packed with 11 other people. There were so many times that Hung experienced almost died at open sea due to the boat capacity and lack of food and water. Hung travelled about 1,000 miles on the South China Sea and finally landed in Bataan, Philippines.

Hung spent about 18 months in the Philippines Refugee Center. Hung’s community involvements began in 1982 when he volunteered to work as a paraprofessional for Family Children Services. This was a road map, which led him to what he does at his current profession. Hung received his bachelor degree at University of Minnesota in 1989 and had worked for Wilder Foundation and Lutheran Social Services. Hung decided to come back to refugee camp and work for United Nations High Commission for Refugees in Hong Kong in 1991. Hung came back to Minnesota in 1994 able to sponsor his family reunite after 13 years of separation. Hung has been working with Bloomington Public Schools since 1995 to present. Hung earned Master Degree in Education in 2001 with the focus in guidance counseling.

The last 20 years or more Hung have been involved with the Vietnamese/Asian community in the Twin Cities and aboard. Hung has done many workshops in various topics ranging from bilingual storytelling to diversity seminars. Hung also have been facilitated monthly SEED seminars (Seeking Equality Education Diversity) for Bloomington Public School staff and cultural consultants to many others districts and governments organizations like Shakopee Public Schools, Dakota County, City of Bloomington and Eastview High School.