Nguyen Thi Minh-Chau, also known in Western name order as Minh-Chau Thi Nguyen, passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, in Reston, Virginia, at the age of 89.
Born on June 19, 1936, in Hanoi, North Vietnam, she grew up during a period of profound historical and social change. A gifted student with a lifelong commitment to public service and learning, Minh-Chau graduated from the Vietnamese Administration School, an elite institution modeled after France's École Nationale d'Administration. She went on to serve at the South Vietnamese Ministry of Economy, contributing to the country's civil administration during a pivotal era.
Pursuing further education abroad, Minh-Chau attended the University of Pittsburgh before continuing her studies at the London School of Economics, where she earned her degree. She spent many years working in France, building a distinguished professional career marked by integrity, rigor, and complete dedication. Wherever she worked, she gave herself fully to her responsibilities, earning the respect of colleagues for her strong professional conscience and commitment.
Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, Minh-Chau relocated to the United States to be with her parents, who had escaped Vietnam during that time. Settling in Reston, Virginia, she continued her professional life and, in later years, devoted herself to community service. While she was still able, she regularly volunteered at a local residence for elderly individuals, offering her time, care, and quiet presence in service to others.
Beyond her professional and civic life, Minh-Chau was known for her grace, creativity, and generosity in everyday moments. She was especially skillful with her hands and took great joy in preparing food for family gatherings. She was fondly remembered for sculpting vegetables into beautiful flowers—especially roses—transforming simple ingredients into small works of beauty that delighted family and friends.
Minh-Chau is survived by her brothers Nguyen Thế Vinh, Nguyen Tường Thịnh, and Nguyen Quang Hiển, and her sister Tran Minh-Khue (née Nguyen), along with their spouses and many beloved nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe. She was predeceased by her brother Nguyen Chí Thanh, and her sisters Nguyen Thi Minh Hằng, Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, and Nguyen Thi Minh Ngọc.
A cremation service will be held on January 2, 2026, followed by a memorial service on January 3, 2026, at Vạn Đức Tự Buddhist Temple in Annandale, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Minh-Chau's memory to Vietnamese American Services, or to any charitable organization that supports new immigrant populations in the United States or Europe.
Nguyen Thi Minh-Chau will be remembered for her intellect, resilience, professional integrity, and quiet acts of care—expressed through service, craftsmanship, and a lifelong dedication to family and community across continents and generations.
Born on June 19, 1936, in Hanoi, North Vietnam, she grew up during a period of profound historical and social change. A gifted student with a lifelong commitment to public service and learning, Minh-Chau graduated from the Vietnamese Administration School, an elite institution modeled after France's École Nationale d'Administration. She went on to serve at the South Vietnamese Ministry of Economy, contributing to the country's civil administration during a pivotal era.
Pursuing further education abroad, Minh-Chau attended the University of Pittsburgh before continuing her studies at the London School of Economics, where she earned her degree. She spent many years working in France, building a distinguished professional career marked by integrity, rigor, and complete dedication. Wherever she worked, she gave herself fully to her responsibilities, earning the respect of colleagues for her strong professional conscience and commitment.
Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, Minh-Chau relocated to the United States to be with her parents, who had escaped Vietnam during that time. Settling in Reston, Virginia, she continued her professional life and, in later years, devoted herself to community service. While she was still able, she regularly volunteered at a local residence for elderly individuals, offering her time, care, and quiet presence in service to others.
Beyond her professional and civic life, Minh-Chau was known for her grace, creativity, and generosity in everyday moments. She was especially skillful with her hands and took great joy in preparing food for family gatherings. She was fondly remembered for sculpting vegetables into beautiful flowers—especially roses—transforming simple ingredients into small works of beauty that delighted family and friends.
Minh-Chau is survived by her brothers Nguyen Thế Vinh, Nguyen Tường Thịnh, and Nguyen Quang Hiển, and her sister Tran Minh-Khue (née Nguyen), along with their spouses and many beloved nieces and nephews in the United States and Europe. She was predeceased by her brother Nguyen Chí Thanh, and her sisters Nguyen Thi Minh Hằng, Nguyen Thi Minh Tam, and Nguyen Thi Minh Ngọc.
A cremation service will be held on January 2, 2026, followed by a memorial service on January 3, 2026, at Vạn Đức Tự Buddhist Temple in Annandale, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Minh-Chau's memory to Vietnamese American Services, or to any charitable organization that supports new immigrant populations in the United States or Europe.
Nguyen Thi Minh-Chau will be remembered for her intellect, resilience, professional integrity, and quiet acts of care—expressed through service, craftsmanship, and a lifelong dedication to family and community across continents and generations.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Minh-Châu Nguyen, please visit our flower store.
Minh-Châu Nguyen's Guestbook
Visits: 85
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors