DAVID DUONG
David Duong was born on April 30, 1958 in Saigon. Seventeen years later, that same date would mark the fall of Saigon, the collapse of everything his family knew, and the beginning of a life defined by rebuilding. For David, April 30 is not symbolic in theory, it is personal. It is the day life began and the day the ground disappeared beneath his feet.
Growing up, he witnessed how quickly stability can vanish. In 1975, his family lost their business, their home, and their future in a matter of days. The decision to flee Vietnam was not about opportunity, it was about survival. That moment shaped David’s understanding of the world early on, that nothing is guaranteed, and that strength is often quiet and unseen.
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As the eldest son in his family, David Duong learned responsibility early. Being the big brother was not about authority, it was about protection. When uncertainty surrounded the family, he stayed composed. When fear was present, he absorbed it quietly so his younger siblings did not have to. Care became instinct, not obligation.
During the family’s escape from Vietnam in 1975, that sense of responsibility deepened. The journey by sea was dangerous and unpredictable, and David understood the risks even at a young age. He watched his parents struggle with impossible decisions and learned that leadership often means remaining steady when there are no good options. Survival, he realized, depended on unity and trust.
After arriving in the United States with nothing, David continued to carry that role. He worked without complaint, taking on physical labor and learning from experience rather than expectation. He did not look for shortcuts or sympathy. Instead, he focused on doing the work in front of him, believing that consistency and effort were the only reliable paths forward.
Those years shaped how David would later lead. He learned that strength is quiet, that stability is built day by day, and that real leadership is measured by how well others are protected from chaos. The instincts he developed as a big brother became the foundation of his approach to business, community, and life.
A Journey From Survival to Stewardship
After years of building in the United States, David Duong returned to Vietnam with purpose, not for recognition, but to continue a responsibility shaped by survival. As Chairman of Vietnam Waste Solutions, he helped develop one of Southeast Asia’s most advanced waste management systems, bringing long-term environmental infrastructure to a rapidly growing region. For David, stewardship means building systems that work quietly, protect communities, and endure beyond any individual.
His leadership reflects the values formed early in life, care for others, patience under pressure, and respect for what is often unseen. From refugee to builder, his journey bridges loss and responsibility, defining a life committed to stability, service, and lasting impact.
DAVID DUONG
“We almost die out there in the ocean. We have only one choice, survive.”