Chicano Culture in Vietnam: A Surprising Connection
In Ho Chi Minh City, a Vietnamese barber named Nguyen Phuoc Loc fully embraces the vibrant world of Chicano culture, despite never setting foot in the United States. loc’s barbershop transforms into a Chicano-inspired haven, adorned with murals and decorations that celebrate Mexican-American heritage. He delves deep, absorbing the culture through film and language, finding a profound sense of belonging.News Directory 3 uncovers how the evolution of the term “Chicano” from a derogatory label to a symbol of pride fuels his passion. Discover how chicano culture now influences subcultures across Asia, including Vietnam.What other unexpected cultural connections await?
Vietnamese Barber Embraces Chicano Culture in Ho Chi minh City
Updated May 27, 2025
Nguyen Phuoc Loc, a 30-year-old barber in Ho Chi Minh City, has fully embraced Chicano culture, despite never having visited the United States. Eight years ago, Loc began exploring the culture because he appreciated the style of the clothing.
Today, Loc manages a barbershop adorned with a mural of the Virgen de Guadalupe, a Mexican flag, and a cactus. Sneakers hang from barbed wire above motorbikes, completing the Chicano-inspired aesthetic.
Loc’s dedication extends to his appearance, with tattoos in Gothic script, a style common in Chicano culture, covering his shaved head. These tattoos include the words “Family,” “Loyalty,” and “L.A.,” along with the number 6, signifying his place as the sixth member of the Viet Chicanos, a group of local barbers and tattoo artists.
“In the beginning, I was just copying the older guys, their style and all,” said Loc. “But over time, I started to feel that it really fit who I am. It happened gradually, like it seeped into me.”
Beyond fashion, the culture has provided Loc with a sense of belonging and motivation. He immerses himself in Chicano culture through films like ”American Me” and “Blood In Blood Out,” and uses translation apps to study the movement online. He is also learning spanish.
“If someone comes in from L.A., I’ll ask them everything I can about Chicano culture,” he said. “It’s like they’re tuned in to the exact frequency I’ve been on.”
The term “Chicano,” once a derogatory label for Mexican Americans, was reclaimed during the 1960s as a political identity during the civil rights movement in the American Southwest. Since then, elements of Chicano identity, such as streetwear, tattoos, and lowrider cars, have become widespread.
Subcultures influenced by Chicano imagery have emerged in other parts of Asia, including Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan, where a love for lowriders dates back to the 1990s. Nguyen Phuoc loc’s story highlights the global reach and enduring appeal of Chicano culture.
What’s next
Loc plans to continue deepening his understanding of Chicano culture and sharing it with his community in Ho Chi Minh City, further solidifying the presence of Viet Chicanos.