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The smallest town in the United States has been auctioned into a coffee center.

Published: 2026-08-23 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/08/23, China news agency, New York, Sept. 3-Buford, the smallest town in the United States with a history of 147 years, was auctioned by the only resident of the town for $900000 last year. On the 3rd, the new owner, 38-year-old Vietnamese businessman Nguyen Dinh Pham, announced plans to transform the town into a coffee sales center at the opening ceremony of the town. Located in eastern Wyoming.

China news agency, New York, Sept. 3-Buford, Wyoming, the smallest town in the United States with a history of 147 years, was auctioned by the only resident of the town for $900000 last year. On the 3rd, the new owner, 38-year-old Vietnamese businessman Nguyen Dinh Pham, announced plans to transform the town into a coffee sales center at the opening ceremony of the town.

Buford, located on the southeastern Wyoming state highway 80 connecting New York and San Francisco, was born in 1866 during the construction of the state's transcontinental railroad. The smallest town in the United States is 2400 meters above sea level and covers an area of 9.9 acres, including a house, a convenience store, a gas station, a cell phone tower and its own zip code.

At the beginning of its construction, Buford flourished as a military fortress guarding the railway, with a population of about 2000 around 1900. With the passage of time, the town is declining. Don Sammons, a Vietnam veteran, moved to the town with his wife and son in 1980 and bought it in 1992. After his wife died and his son moved out, Salmons became the only resident of Buford.

In April last year, 62-year-old Salmons decided to put the town up for public auction, which attracted the attention of the world through the rendering of more than 100 national media. Bidders from 46 different countries came to the scene, and online auctions were held simultaneously. Nguyen Ting Fan made a special flight from Vietnam to Buford, and in the end, he beat the other competitors with 900000 US dollars.

PhinDeli, which Mr. Nguyen started with his partners in Vietnam, has focused on selling American-branded coffee to multinationals in Vietnam. "now we can introduce Vietnamese coffee to Americans, which is very exciting," they said. Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee exporter, and several retail coffee brands are not sold in the United States.

Nguyen Ting Fan announced on the 3rd that the town will be renamed "Buford PhinDeli Town", while launching a Vietnamese boutique coffee business for American consumers, and plans to provide free coffee samples to tourists at convenience stores in the town. State and county officials, community members, Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American guests and media representatives attended the day's unveiling ceremony. Salmons was appointed joint mayor and Nguyen's coffee trading partner.

"this is an exciting century-old town. Now international travelers can rest, refuel, buy snacks and taste high-quality coffee here. When I bought it 20 years ago, I thought it was special, and now the whole world will feel the same way. " Salmons appreciates Nguyen Ting Fan's optimism and enthusiasm. "he reminds me of myself 20 years ago and hopes that he can realize his own version of the 'American Dream'."

(responsible Editor:)

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