Ready to branch out

When Bao Vuong became president of the Vietnamese Student Association in the spring of 2007, he came to the job with the desire to branch out and expand the VSA’s connections with other student groups.

“This year our main goal is to extend our network with other student group organizations, including other ethnic groups,” Vuong said. “I thought that it has been kind of [un]inclusive in the past, so we are working to change that.”

The Vietnamese Student Association was created more than 20 years ago by Portland State students who worked to advocate for the Vietnamese community in Portland.

Part of that plan of advocacy includes bringing a bigger and more diverse audience to the group’s annual culture night, the Tet Show, than in previous years. The show is Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. in Hoffman Hall. At 7 p.m., the VSA will host a dance, also in Hoffman Hall.

Along with other members of the VSA, Vuong has dedicated a great deal time and effort to make the Tet Show entertaining as well as educational. Both Vuong and Vice-President Annie Truong feel the show is important to those involved in Vietnamese culture as well as to those experiencing it for the first time.

“Whether we are Vietnamese or not, we work towards a mission of preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture at Portland State University and the surrounding community by hosting cultural events, and providing programs and support for students to establish a common ground,” Truong said. “We look to network with other VSA organizations to increase leadership skills and promote community involvement.”

The show will be centered on Vietnamese culture, and traditional food and dance will play an important aspect.

“I would like viewers of the show to learn a little about the Vietnamese culture and to enjoy something a little different than culture shows of the past,” said Truong, a senior business major.

Unlike last year, the show will be catered by the Yen Ha restaurant. Members of VSA will be performing comedy skits as well as aspects of traditional Vietnamese mythology. Most of the acts will teach values important to people of Vietnam and the New Year celebration of Tet. 

Other parts of the show will include a wide range of dancers. There will be everything from line dancers stepping, to traditional Tet songs of warding off evil and welcoming prosperity, to modern hip-hoppers, Wu Shu Chinese martial artists and a fashion show where models will present the modernized versions of the Ao Dai, traditional Vietnamese attire.

Other performers include the Steps of Rhyme and little dancers and singers from the Vietnamese Children’s program.

As a pre-med student and biology major, Vuong first became involved with VSA as a freshman when his sister encouraged him to join. With a growing passion for social and cultural studies, Vuong was motivated to fulfill his goal of reconnecting with the Vietnamese community.

“I feel that it is important to preserve heritage,” said Vuong, who has lived in the Portland area for some years.