Yen Do, 65; Publisher of First, Largest U.S. Vietnamese Paper

Like many of the refugees, Do arrived empty-handed. He found work as a dishwasher at a fast-food restaurant before moving to Texas in search of more lucrative work. But he was soon back in Southern California with the idea to start a newspaper to serve the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees who would be arriving over the next few years.

"He foresaw Orange County as the center for Vietnamese immigrants," said Lecong, who helped him deliver newspapers.

Using $4,000 he had saved, Do printed 2,000 copies of the first edition of Nguoi Viet on Dec. 6, 1978.

Initially, Do and his family shared a two-bedroom apartment with 10 others in Santa Ana. He and a group of friends continued to put out the newspaper. He worked late to translate, cut, paste, lay out and deliver the newspapers while slashing ad rates to $5. He gave away newspapers and created jobs for new arrivals.

"He helped all the former writers to get on their feet, no matter how late they came from Vietnam," Lecong said. "They get their feet wet with him and then they move on. His paper was a dropping spot."

Do, who tried to incorporate Western-style journalism in his paper, was criticized by staunchly anti-Communist peers and readers who thought the content did not take a firm enough stand against the Communist government of Vietnam. Some of the criticism turned into public protests.

In 1989, 150 protesters gathered outside his newspaper office after Do showed pictures of Communist leader Ho Chi Minh's tomb.

In 1994, about 300 people stormed the newspaper and demanded an apology from Do after he defended a trip to Vietnam by Dr. Co Pham, president of the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce. Do refused to apologize but resigned as editor after the protesters threatened a boycott.

"He felt disgusted and frustrated," Lam said, "but he's the kind of person that's quiet, low-key."

Today, Nguoi Viet has more than 70 employees, a circulation of about 18,000 and is known worldwide. It also publishes an English section and a yellow pages. Writers he once employed are now part of the thriving competing newspapers and magazines that opened across the street.

In addition to his wife, Loan, of Garden Grove and his daughter Anh of Costa Mesa, Do is survived by three other children: Lin of Walnut; and Dao and Tung of northern Virginia.

Services are pending.