Nguyen, a community activist and change agent in New Orleans East, founded VIET in 2001 out of a desire to serve others. The organization is the first statewide nonprofit established to target Vietnamese communities and works "to help mainstream the Vietnamese community into the American society and to bridge the gap as it relates to cultural and language barriers." VIET also develops educational and economic training programs for minority residents of Louisiana. 

Under Nguyen's leadership, VIET's core initiatives include the operation of one of the largest summer camps in the City of New Orleans, which serves more than 400 youth ages 3 to 16. VIET also facilitates an after school program for non-English speaking youth and a weekly program for senior citizens. The organization is also working to open an Early Head Start center in Michoud, which would serve as the first center of this sort to open in the area since Hurricane Katrina.

Nguyen is one of 24 community leaders from New Orleans who was recently awarded a three-year fellowship with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network, which targets and develops transformative leaders who are dedicated to social change in their communities to help children and families obtain optimal health and well-being, academic achievement and financial security. 

Council President Head said, "Cyndi is a dynamic leader in many areas in the City. She pays attention to the needs of the communities she serves and is providing outstanding leadership in areas such as education, youth and personal enrichment, business, and advocacy for Vietnamese communities and non-English speaking individuals. We are honored to have her working in New Orleans East."