His family fled Vietnam by boat in 1979, landing in the Philippines after 15 days at sea.

[2] On May 11, 1991, Nguyễn was ordained to the priesthood by Auxiliary Bishop Peter Rosazza for the Missionaries Order at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Hartford, Connecticut,[2] After his 1991 ordination, the Missionaries assigned Nguyễn as an associate pastor at Thomas the Apostle Parish in Smyrna, Georgia.

In 1996, Nguyễn became parochial vicar at Christ the King Parish in Jacksonville, Florida, part of the Diocese of St.

[1] Pope Francis appointed Nguyễn as auxiliary bishop of Orange on October 6, 2017.

Bishops Felipe de Jesús Estévez and Robert Baker were the co-consecrators.