Vietnamese Refugee Collects $1 Million in Lottery Spinoff
SACRAMENTO — A Vietnamese refugee who fled with his wife and five children as “boat people” became an instant millionaire Saturday in the California Lottery’s Big Spin Saturday.
“We found freedom in the United States,” said Cuong Truong, 35, a former South Vietnamese Army private who now is an automobile mechanic in San Jose.
Truong, a Saigon resident before escaping from Vietnam in 1980, said he will buy a home with his $1-million prize. He celebrated the victory with his wife, Ha Tran, and their children, aged 7 to 17.
He was the only big winner among the 15 holders of “entry” lottery tickets who spun the lottery wheel during Saturday’s taping of the show. All the other contestants won $50,000 or $10,000.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
