Within the Vietnamese community in the United States, many silent figures have contributed significantly to preserving culture, fostering community bonds, and arousing passion for artistic and entertainment activities. One such person is Pham Kim Tin, widely known in the Vietnamese-American community as Tina Pham.
Born in 1965, Tina Pham arrived in the U.S. in 1980 at the age of 15, settling with her family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over there, she studied and worked while nurturing her dreams and passion for media and entertainment from her early days in a foreign land. As a mother of four, including two sons and two daughters, her journey of settling down in America was never straightforward. After a marital breakup, she moved to California in 1992 searching for a larger Vietnamese community and greater career opportunities, especially in the field of marketing and media.
In the early days in California, Tina Pham began working in marketing for AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications corporations in the U.S. around 1992–1993. This was a big turning point that marked her entry into the field of networking, promotion and marketing that would later grow her strengths and allow her to flourish in media and showbiz.
Thanks to her extensive experience in a professional environment, Tina quickly stepped into the Vietnamese media in the U.S. She collaborated and worked with several major Vietnamese radio and television stations such as VietFace TV, VietV TV, and VietTide, as well as the printed publication The Gioi Nghe Si. At VietTide, she served as the regional representative for Northern California and surrounding areas. Since there, her 30-year-spanning journey in media and event organizing began and has continued to grow, leaving a strong impression on the Vietnamese community in the U.S.
Since childhood, Tina Pham has had a special passion for entertainment, culture, and arts. Although she is not a singer or performer, she has always had a fate and acute sense for organizing, connecting, and promoting events. She once shared that she views her work as a “fated calling” which meant the profession that found her by chance rather than the other way around. It is that passion that has fueled her continued dedication to organizing musical and cultural shows, festivals, and charity fundraisers for over three decades. Even though she has entered her 60s now, the passion flame within her has yet to fade. She remains deeply committed to her work, organizing events of all sizes, networking with sponsors and artists both in the U.S. and abroad, especially overseas Vietnamese artists and singers visiting from Vietnam.
Tina Pham is more than just an event organizer. In every show she produces, she takes on multiple roles including marketing and advertising, sponsorship coordination, ticket sales, customer engagement, and artist liaison. Each of her medium-scale shows often attracts between 600 and over 3,000 attendees, demonstrating the high level of credibility and admiration from the Vietnamese community to her and her work.
Over the years, Tina has organized hundreds of events. Notable programs that have helped establish her reputation include: The 25th Anniversary Show of MC Nguyen Ngoc Ngan; Miss Global Vietnamese Businesswoman; Singer Ngoc Ha’s 10th Anniversary Live Show; 30 Years of Old Love – Tran Quang Nam; and singer Dan Nguyen’s first-ever U.S. live show, which was co-produced with Dong Dao Lounge in a rare collaboration between a Vietnamese entertainment entity and the overseas Vietnamese community, demonstrating Tina’s cross-border vision and efforts. Notably, Dan Nguyen’s only concert in Singapore on February 23, 2019 was also organized by TN Entertainment that she represents and flew from the U.S. to manage the event.
Not only that, Tina Pham was also behind the Bolero concert featuring singer To My’s first performance in the U.S. that was held in San Francisco, California. This show was organized by Lien Pham Entertainment, with Tina serving as the marketing lead and a key member of the production team. Besides, her image has even appeared on stage at Thuy Nga Paris, during an interview session with MC Nguyen Ngoc Ngan and Ngoc Han, indicating an acknowledgment of her contributions by one of the most prominent overseas Vietnamese production houses.
Tina Pham also left a mark by organizing the 75th Anniversary of MC Nguyen Ngoc Ngan’s artistic activities in San Jose, which was a symbolic and meaningful event carried out by TN Entertainment. Beyond entertainment activities, she also actively contributes to community events in both Northern and Southern California. She serves as the Financial Commissioner for the Asian American Senior Association in Westminster, helping organize the annual Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day in April for overseas Vietnamese. Additionally, she holds the same financial role in the Lac Viet Literary Group in San Jose, California which is a community of literature and culture lovers committed to preserving Vietnamese language and heritage abroad.
The events Tina Pham organizes are not simply about culture and entertainment but they also serve as bridges between the Vietnamese community and their homeland. She contributes to spreading Vietnamese culture through every show and every gathering that she holds while offering business promotion opportunities for local Vietnamese enterprises. For her, every program tells a story of passion, dedication, and unwavering love for her homeland.
Tina once shared that organizing an art show in the U.S. is not easy. Challenges arise not just from financial constraints, but also from managing backstage operations: from script planning, artist scheduling, contract arrangements, venue rentals, and promotion, to stage management, sound, and lighting. All these require thorough planning and professional execution.
Throughout her career path, Tina has faced many challenges, from last-minute artist cancellations and withdrawn sponsorships to lower-than-expected ticket sales. However, with over 30 years of experience and a resilient spirit, she always finds ways to adapt and handle each situation gracefully.
Tina Pham is not only a talented organizer, but also an inspiration to younger generations of Vietnamese Americans. She actively encourages young people to get involved in the arts, to promote Vietnamese culture internationally, and to take pride in their roots. Even though she chooses to remain behind the spotlight, she continues to be a quiet fire keeper who preserves traditions and helps to foster a united and thriving Vietnamese community abroad.