Andrew Tran, who was born in Vietnam, was envious of the manner in which Americans celebrated Christmas, especially where decorating was concerned. “I wanted to decorate the American way,” he explains. Never in his wildest dreams did he think he’d ever be living in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, or decorating 14 trees for Christmas.
Sitting in Andrew’s kitchen that offers a view of the backyard, I glimpsed colorful umbrellas hanging from the pergola that covers the patio. “Do you like them?” he asked. “I bought them when I last visited Vietnam.”
Becoming Andrew
April marked 50 years since Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army. Andrew’s grandparents, who had previously relocated to Lancaster (the late Richard Good, the owner of the former Good’s Furniture, was their sponsor), could only witness their homeland’s downfall on television.
Following the communist takeover, Andrew’s father, who had served in the South Vietnamese Army, traveled to Texas, where other relatives were living, to determine whether he and his family would be happy living there. Homesick for Vietnam, he returned, only to be arrested for being a spy. He was sentenced to a prison term of 15 years that would entail hard labor. “My family wondered if he would even survive,” Andrew recalls. “Under communism, they make all the rules,” he adds.
Upon his release, the head of the family started making plans to leave Vietnam. When Andrew was three or four years old, the family of seven made their escape. “We got in a boat with 31 other people and spent seven days on the ocean,” he recounts. The family ended up in a refugee camp in Thailand, where they subsisted for two years before being moved to the Philippines and eventually, the United States, where they settled in Lancaster County.
The family took up residence in New Holland. Andrew was enrolled in a local elementary school. “I didn’t know a word of English. The kids were very cruel to me. It was very hard,” he says, sharing that he had to repeat fifth grade twice. There were two bright spots: a teacher who worked nonstop with the newcomer and a boy named Andrew, who befriended the new kid.
Later, the newcomer from Vietnam would learn of a high school named McCaskey. “I heard the kids who attended McCaskey came from all over [the world]. I asked my parents if I could please go to school there, and they agreed. I was so happy. I was no longer the only Asian kid,” he explains. Andrew thrived at McCaskey, where he made good grades, played tennis and headed up the yearbook staff. He was named as a Who’s Who of American High School Students.
He also became an American citizen. Choosing to change his name, the boy born as Tran Loc became Andrew Tran. “I chose it in honor of my friend, Andrew,” he notes.
His dream was to become a fashion designer like his idol, Gianni Versace. Biding his time, he worked at Warner-Lambert. He eventually made it to New York, where he worked as a runway model. However, family matters took precedence and he returned to Lancaster in order to help his parents manage the nail salon they owned. “Family loyalty is important in Asian cultures,” he explains. “I don’t regret anything,” he says of choosing to leave New York and return to Lancaster.
Back in Lancaster, Andrew dedicated himself to the family business, moving the growing salon from Centerville to Lime Spring Square. Earlier this year, he became a commercial property owner with the purchase of a former salon on East Roseville Road. After extensive cosmetic upgrades, The Nail Studio made its debut in early summer, offering nail care, eyelash/eyebrow services, waxing and facials. The salon is open seven days a week. Andrew takes Tuesdays off, although he usually “pops in” to check on things. “I can’t help myself!” he laughs.
Embracing the Holidays … American Style
“I have loved Christmas since I was a kid,” Andrew shares. Living in America allowed him to become fully invested in decorating for Christmas. His love of couture fashion is reflected in the themed trees he designs and decorates, notably those devoted to Burberry and Louis Vuitton. Collecting (American style) is also an interest, as is reflected in trees that are decorated with Wedgewood ornaments, Tiffany crystals, German-made wooden ornaments, fruit (little works of art) and souvenirs of his travels. “It’s taken me years to collect all the ornaments,” he notes. “I don’t decorate a tree until I’m satisfied that I have enough to carry out the theme.”
The décor extends well beyond the trees. The china cabinet is filled with place settings and serving pieces that pay homage to Versace. Another cabinet is filled with Wedgewood pieces, while another is dedicated to hand-painted dinnerware from Japan. Mantels and staircases are hung with swags and garland. Sparkling deer, small trees and other accessories bring a touch of Christmas to tables and other surfaces throughout the house. “Each tree takes about a day to decorate,” he comments.
Andrew views his hobbies in his own terms. “I’ve gone through a lot in my life,” he theorizes. “I work hard, and I play hard. If I see something I like, I buy it. Life is short and it’s meant to be enjoyed.”
Andrew, who is the father of a 26-year-old son, Anthony, and his extended family are proud to be Americans. In addition to celebrating Christmas, they have become devotees of American holidays such as Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. “I want my son to know the American way,” he says of establishing new family traditions, as well as honoring Asian holidays such as Chinese New Year.
For Thanksgiving, invited guests are welcome to bring along family and friends. “We never know who’s going to show up!” he says of the feast that includes turkey and Vietnamese specialties. “Last year, we celebrated with some people from Ukraine.” Fourth of July parties are all-day affairs that feature guests from all over Central Pennsylvania, endless food (hot dogs to Vietnamese treats), tasty drinks (with a tropical theme), live music, karaoke and fireworks. “We came here for freedom,” Andrew states. “That needs to be celebrated.”
As for Christmas 2025, the family will be ushering in the New Year with approximately two dozen guests from D.C. and as far away as California. “Family, friends, food and singing carols, it doesn’t get any better than that!” Andrew says.
All this Christmas vibe has me eager to start decorating. Great article.