Dac Viet Vu

Immigration Rights Advocate & Diplomat

Dac Viet Vu is a distinguished social worker whose impactful career began in the early 1970s. Vu relocated to San Francisco, where his contributions to the community and value to the City’s Community Mental Health Department earned him a lifetime achievement award. There, he worked with youth and families, specializing in mental health services and treatment for immigrants and refugees, particularly those from Southeast Asian countries.

Born in North Vietnam in 1931, Vu earned a law degree at the University of Saigon but left during the first exodus that was prompted by the division of Vietnam by the Paris Accord. Vu became self-taught in English and later secured a scholarship to study foreign politics. His academic pursuits led him to specialize in international relations, earning a Master of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University. In 1970, he returned to his country and joined the Vietnam Diplomatic Corps; in early 1972, he was assigned to Japan as a cultural education attaché. There at the Embassy, he managed all the cultural exchange affairs of Vietnamese people in Japan, and Japanese people interested in travel to Vietnam, such as student visas, business ventures, and music and language events. His service was recognized in a formal photographic portrait with the Japanese Emperor and consular staff.

The end of the Vietnam War in 1975 marked a significant turn in Vu's life. He emigrated permanently to the United States with his family, There he faced the challenge of adapting to a new society along with many other Vietnamese immigrants. Once again in California and after recognizing the need to assist his fellow countrymen in their transition to American life, he earned an MSW after taking night courses at San Francisco State University. Beginning to work for the city’s Department of Community Mental Health Services, Chinatown/North Beach Services branch, he applied his deep understanding of cultural nuances and international relations to his new roles. While there, he earned his LCSW license and continued to provide critically needed skills to the local immigrant communities. After 19 years in that department, Vu was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the City of San Francisco to mark his valued contributions.

In San Francisco, Vu dedicated himself to his family of his wife and eleven children. He made his career as a city employee where he played a crucial role during the influx of Vietnamese immigrants. His efforts were not only instrumental in helping many families integrate into American society but also highlighted for his colleagues the ongoing and significant challenges and disparities faced by immigrants.

Vu’s dedication to his community and his profound impact on social work have been recognized and celebrated by others, cementing his legacy as a compassionate and effective leader in social services. We now commit his accomplishments to memory in our Social Work Hall of Distinction. His work has left a lasting impression on the lives of many, ensuring that immigrants and their families continue to receive the support they need to thrive in a new environment.