Born in the village of Fi Tong (Huồi tụ), Vietnam, near the city of Nong Het, Laos, Yang grew up without learning to read or write, although he likely observed various writing systems.
Born in the village of Fi Tong (Huồi tụ), Vietnam, close to Nong Het, Laos, Yang was unable to read or write as a child, though he probably encountered various writing systems.