What Percent of Nail Salon Owners Are Vietnamese?

Around half of U.S. nail salons are estimated to be Vietnamese-owned. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History states that more than half of U.S. nail salons are owned by Vietnamese Americans, while other sources have reported figures ranging from roughly 45% to 53%, depending on the year, data source, and definition of Vietnamese-owned.

For a simple answer, about 50% of nail salons in the United States are Vietnamese-owned.

It is important to separate salon ownership from the percentage of nail technicians who are Vietnamese. These are different statistics and can vary significantly by source and year.

What Percentage of Nail Salons Are Vietnamese-Owned?

There is no single universally accepted percentage because studies use different datasets and methods.

Commonly cited estimates include:

The Smithsonian reports that more than half of U.S. nail salons are owned by Vietnamese Americans. Other research has produced lower historical estimates, which shows why “around half” is generally more reliable than claiming one exact number.

Are More Than Half of Nail Salons Vietnamese-Owned?

Some research and industry sources say yes.

The Smithsonian specifically reports that more than half of U.S. nail salons are Vietnamese-owned. Other industry sources have also placed Vietnamese ownership at roughly 50% or slightly above.

However, estimates vary by year and methodology. For that reason, it is safest to describe Vietnamese ownership as approximately half of the U.S. nail salon industry.

What About Vietnamese Nail Technicians?

The percentage of Vietnamese nail technicians is different from the percentage of Vietnamese salon owners.

Research has consistently found that Vietnamese workers represent a disproportionately large share of the U.S. nail workforce. Some studies have reported that more than half of nail salon workers were Vietnamese, while other sources have reported lower percentages.

This difference matters because a Vietnamese technician may work in a salon owned by someone of another background, while a Vietnamese-owned salon may employ technicians from many different communities.

Why Are Vietnamese Americans So Prominent in the Nail Industry?

The Vietnamese presence in the U.S. nail industry has roots in the years following the Vietnam War.

Actress Tippi Hedren is often credited with helping introduce manicuring to Vietnamese refugee women in California during the 1970s. From there, the industry expanded through family connections, community networks, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.

Several factors helped the industry grow:

• Family and community networks
• Vocational training
• Word-of-mouth employment
• Entrepreneurship
• Established salon businesses
• Vietnamese-language support networks

Over time, these connections created a strong business ecosystem that helped new immigrants enter the industry and eventually become salon owners.

Why Did Nail Salons Become an Opportunity for Vietnamese Immigrants?

Nail work offered several practical advantages for some newly arrived immigrants.

Accessible Training

Becoming a licensed nail technician generally requires vocational education and state licensing rather than a four-year college degree, although requirements differ by state.

Income Opportunity

For some immigrants who were still learning English, nail work provided a way to build income and work experience.

Family Connections

People already working in the industry could help relatives and friends find training or employment. This created a cycle of entry, experience, and business ownership.

Entrepreneurship

Nail services can provide a path from technician to business owner. Experienced technicians can build a customer base, save money, and eventually open their own salon.

Is California Different From the Rest of the U.S.?

Yes. California has historically had a particularly strong Vietnamese presence in the nail industry.

Large Vietnamese American communities developed throughout California, especially in Southern California. Some local estimates have placed Vietnamese participation or ownership at around 80% in certain areas.

That figure should not be applied to the entire state. A community with a large Vietnamese American population may have a much higher percentage of Vietnamese-owned salons than an area with a smaller Vietnamese population.

Does “Vietnamese-Owned” Mean the Owner Was Born in Vietnam?

Not necessarily.

A Vietnamese-owned business may be owned by someone who was:

• Born in Vietnam
• Born in the United States
• A child of Vietnamese immigrants
• A descendant of Vietnamese refugees

Therefore, ownership statistics do not necessarily measure how many salon owners personally immigrated from Vietnam.

Are Most Vietnamese Nail Salon Owners Women?

Women have historically played an important role in the Vietnamese American nail industry, particularly because Vietnamese refugee women were among the early groups introduced to manicuring in California.

Women have gone on to become technicians, managers, and business owners. However, Vietnamese men also work in and own nail salons, so the industry is not exclusively female.

Does Every Vietnamese Nail Salon Have Vietnamese Employees?

No.

A Vietnamese-owned salon can employ technicians from a wide variety of backgrounds. Likewise, a salon with many Vietnamese technicians is not necessarily Vietnamese-owned.

It is important to distinguish between:

• Owner ethnicity
• Employee ethnicity
• Salon location
• Customer demographics

These factors can overlap, but they are not the same thing.

Why Is the Exact Percentage Difficult to Determine?

There is no single continuously updated national database that provides a definitive percentage of nail salons by owner ethnicity.

Researchers may use information from:

• Census data
• Industry surveys
• Business ownership records
• State licensing data
• Academic studies
• Industry publications

Because the sources and definitions differ, estimates can range from historical figures around 30% to more than 50%.

For that reason, “about 50%” is a practical summary rather than an exact annual statistic.

Does This Mean Half of All Nail Technicians Are Vietnamese?

Not necessarily.

Salon ownership and employment are separate measures. One Vietnamese American owner might employ technicians from several backgrounds, while a Vietnamese technician might work for a non-Vietnamese owner.

How Has the Vietnamese Nail Industry Changed?

The industry has expanded well beyond the traditional manicure salon.

Today, Vietnamese-owned businesses may include:

• Family-operated salons
• Independent nail shops
• High-end nail spas
• Multi-location businesses
• Nail-art studios

Services may include manicures, gel manicures, acrylics, builder gel, dip powder, gel extensions, pedicures, and nail art.

Is There Something Special About Vietnamese Nail Technicians?

There is no nail technique that is inherently Vietnamese.

The industry’s strong reputation is better explained by experience, training, community networks, and decades of involvement in the profession. Skills and business knowledge have often been passed between relatives, coworkers, and members of the same community.

Does Vietnamese Ownership Mean Vietnamese Salons Are Cheaper?

No.

Pricing depends on factors such as location, technician experience, service type, product quality, labor costs, rent, competition, and demand.

A Vietnamese-owned salon can be budget-friendly, mid-range, or upscale. Ownership background does not determine pricing.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Nail Salon?

When searching for nail salons near me, consider the factors that directly affect your experience:

Cleanliness

Choose a clean, organized salon with good sanitation practices.

Technician Experience

Look for experience with the specific manicure, pedicure, extensions, or nail art you want.

Reviews

Read recent customer reviews for feedback about quality and service.

Pricing

Ask for the full price before your appointment, especially when adding extras.

Communication

Make sure the technician understands your preferred shape, length, color, and design.

Services

Confirm the salon offers the exact service you’re looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percent of nail salon owners are Vietnamese?

Approximately half of U.S. nail salons are estimated to be Vietnamese-owned. Common estimates range from about 45% to 53%, depending on the source and year.

What percentage of nail technicians are Vietnamese?

Estimates vary, but research has found Vietnamese workers make up a very large share of the U.S. nail workforce.

Why are so many nail salons Vietnamese-owned?

The main reasons include refugee resettlement, early manicuring opportunities, accessible training, family networks, community support, and entrepreneurship.

Are most nail salons in California Vietnamese-owned?

Vietnamese Americans have a particularly strong presence in California’s nail industry. Some local estimates have reached around 80%, but this varies greatly by region.

Did Tippi Hedren start the Vietnamese nail industry?

She played an important early role by helping Vietnamese refugee women learn manicuring in California during the 1970s. The industry itself developed over decades through the work of many technicians, families, and entrepreneurs.

Are Vietnamese Americans the only major group in the nail industry?

No. The U.S. nail industry includes people from many ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Vietnamese Americans simply have a particularly strong historical presence.

Conclusion

About half of U.S. nail salons are estimated to be Vietnamese-owned, although the exact percentage varies by source and year. Recent estimates commonly fall between 45% and 53%, while the Smithsonian describes Vietnamese Americans as owning more than half of U.S. nail salons.

When choosing nail salons near me, nail salons in Naperville, or nail salons open near me, focus on cleanliness, technician skill, reviews, pricing, and service quality. Naperville Nail Spa offers professional manicures, pedicures, and other nail services in Naperville. Call (331) 701-7925 to learn more or schedule an appointment.