Winnipeg tailor honoured with King Charles III Coronation Medal

Many Winnipeggers know Tam Nguyen as a tailor in the city, but there’s much more behind the man in the sharp suit.

Nguyen, 70, is receiving a Coronation Medal from King Charles because of his philanthropic work in Canada that extends all the way to Vietnam.

“Canadians teach me a lot,” Nugyen said. “I didn’t sit in school, but I learn a lot from people. Like build your future, do something good for others.

“You give as soon as you can. You can’t wait.”

Nguyen’s road to Canada was a long one. Born in Vietnam in the 1950s, he escaped by boat during wartime, sailing dangerous waters for five days.

“We got not enough food, not enough water, so I was worried. I was scared,” Nguyen recounted.

READ MORE: Tailor Made: Story of Winnipeg tailor’s escape from Vietnam to Canada

On the boat, Nguyen made a promise in prayer. If he survived, he would dedicate his life to helping the people of his home country.

“I said I will help. I will keep my promise,” he said.

And he has indeed made good on his words.

“I build school for children,” Nguyen said. “I send children to school. I can’t afford to go to school, I couldn’t go to school. But I want kids to go to school, learn something for themselves and do something better.”

When Canadian Senator Flordeliz “Gigi” Osler received an allotment of medals to distribute, she says her good friend Nguyen was one of the first people who came to her mind.

Senator Osler met Tam in his shop on Ellice Avenue and has remained in close contact with him since, reconnecting with him through his charity “Canadians Helping Kids in Vietnam.”

“I have known Tam since the late 1980s,” Osler said.

Tam’s charity, which was founded in 1995, gave thousands of children and their families a chance at a better life.

It helped build 14 schools over the course of its 25-year run. Tam also spearheaded medical and dental missions. On one dental mission in particular, the Winnipegger went to the principal of a school and asked him to get the shoe size of every child, and bought them all fitted sandals.

“Canadians Helping Kids in Vietnam” stopped its work during COVID, but Tam has always been eager to get back to the philanthropic work he loves. He’s currently looking into funding educational scholarships for Vietnamese children.

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Tam also extended his philanthropic work to Winnipeg, raising funds for different communities and organizations through the years.

“I wanted to ensure that my medals went to Manitobans who … have contributed to community, to the city, to the province, to the country,” Osler said.

RELATED: Vietnamese, Afghan refugees to Canada reflect on escaping war, giving back

Tam celebrated the day with his family and close friends, preparing fresh homemade spring rolls for guests after his medal was presented.

“I’m happy,” said Nguyen. “I’m really excited. Couldn’t believe I got a medal from King Charles. I say, I did some work, so people recognize. People know I did some work.

“Today is kind of a big day. I have an award from King Charles.”

It’s not the first time Tam has been honoured with medals. He was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee and the Canada 150 medal.