Ryan Duy Hùng
American English Coach · Founder of Lighthouse American English
Ryan Duy Hùng (Ryan Hayes Ford) is a native American who moved to Vietnam at the age of eight. He grew up between two cultures — American enough to sound American, Vietnamese enough to understand why Vietnamese learners stay silent.
For over 15 years he has coached Vietnamese speakers using one principle that runs against traditional teaching: "Speak now. Fix later."
Lived experience
- Moved to Vietnam at age 8. He went through the same process his students face, in reverse — a child living inside a language that was not his mother tongue.
- 15+ years teaching Vietnamese learners, from school students to executives.
- Lecturer at Vietnam–UK University (VN-UK), Đà Nẵng.
- Trained senior staff at five-star hotels and resorts, where one wrong sentence can cost a guest.
- One-to-one coach for professionals, entrepreneurs and CEOs.
- Father of four, homeschooling them directly — language acquisition observed from zero.
Credentials
| Area | Detail |
|---|---|
| Education | MBA — University of Hawaii at Manoa · Syracuse University · study abroad at Tsinghua University |
| Leadership | Former school principal; owner of several businesses |
| Programs authored | Find Your Voice® — a 21-day path to the first spoken sentence |
| Coaching | Executive coach for leaders and entrepreneurs |
| Teaching focus | American pronunciation, Business English, Executive English, public speaking |
Teaching philosophy
Vietnamese learners are not short on English knowledge. They are short on permission to be wrong. My job is to give that permission back.
He works with Esther Huyền Trang, his wife and co-founder, who brings over 16 years of teaching experience. Together they built Lighthouse American English and homeschool their four children in Atlanta, Georgia.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Ryan Duy Hùng from?
Ryan Duy Hùng is a native American. He moved to Vietnam at the age of eight and grew up between both cultures, which gives him native pronunciation alongside a deep understanding of how Vietnamese learners think.
What are Ryan's qualifications?
Ryan holds an MBA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, has served as a school principal, works as an executive coach, and is the author of the Find Your Voice® program. He is also the owner of several businesses.
Who does Ryan teach?
Ryan coaches three main groups: Vietnamese working professionals aged 28 to 45, Vietnamese people living in the United States, and English teachers or language centre owners.