Linh was born in Ba Lang, Tinh Gia, Thanh Hóa Province, Bắc Trung Bộ, Vietnam, on 22 November 1949, the son of Christian parents (Thiher Giaia, Thanh Hóa) from a modest background.
Due to the political events in his homeland, he had to return to his family and 14 years of hard work, but he was also active as an intern in the parish of Phan Tang, Ninh Thuận.