The prevalence of Vietnamese women in the nail salon industry dates back to the Vietnam war. Tippi Hedren, a Hollywood actress, was involved in a charity which provided vocations to Vietnamese refugee women. The Vietnamese nail connection dates back to 1975 when the first wave of immigrants began arriving in America after the fall of Saigon.
Currently, 50% of nail salon owners are Vietnamese, making the industry worth approximately $8 billion annually.
The Vietnamese have also developed their own style of nail art using traditional motifs like lotus flowers and dragons, giving their nail art a unique and distinctly Vietnamese look.
Nail salons provide a sense of community for Vietnamese immigrants and a way to support their families in Vietnam. The actress Tippi Hedren played a significant role in introducing Vietnamese women to the nail industry. If you’ve had a manicure lately, chances are you probably had it done at a nail salon run by people of Vietnamese heritage.
Why do the Vietnamese do nails?
The Vietnamese come to the U.S. to search for better opportunities, and the nail industry has proven lucrative for many Vietnamese immigrants.