Tammy Nguyen was born in war-torn Vietnam, into a family with very little. When her father and brother fled the country, Tammy stayed behind and worked — saving every dollar she could until, at 16 years old, she was finally able to follow. She boarded a small boat with strangers and hoped for the best.

Two days in, the boat ran out of gas. Then food. Then water. Lost at sea, it was a Chinese vessel that eventually found them and brought the passengers to Hong Kong, where Tammy was placed in a Vietnamese detention center. From there, she made her way to Oakland — and to her family, and to a new life.

"I just hope people give me the chance… and I have to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to do what I like."

— Tammy Nguyen, Founder

For decades, Tammy built that life one day at a time, working in nail salons and eventually opening her own: T's Nail Bar, right here in Pleasanton. But there was always another dream quietly waiting — a place of her own where people could gather, eat, and feel at home the way she had always longed to.

Fusion Wine Bar is that dream realized. Every recipe on the menu comes from Tammy herself — Vietnamese flavors she has carried across oceans, paired with local California wines and craft beers chosen with care. The patio is decorated with traditional Vietnamese touches. The food is made with love you can actually taste.

She built this place to give back to the community that welcomed her, including offering discounts to first responders who keep Pleasanton safe. In the future, Tammy would like to offer further discounts to the teachers, doctors, and nurses. Fusion is more than a wine bar. It is proof of what perseverance, gratitude, and a really good pork egg roll can do.