HOME|ABOUT|REGISTER|SCHEDULE|PROGRAMMING|ENTERTAINERS|TRAVEL|SPONSORS|MEDIA

News & Announcements

Visit the VASCON4 blog for conference details, updates and tips!

April 2, 2008

VASCON4 Newsletter #4

April 2, 2008

VASCON4 Newsletter #3

March 27, 2008


Our Sponsors

Click on the logo to visit the sponsor's web site





















Click Here to Become a VASCON4 Sponsor

Programming

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

DUY LOAN LE, Senior Fellow at Texas Instruments

Duy-Loan T. Le came to America in 1975. She graduated from Alief Hastings High School at 16 as Valedictorian of her class of 335 students in 1979. In 1982, Duy-Loan received her BSEE from University of Texas with High Honor and subsequently obtained her MBA from University of Houston while working full time. She started as a memory design engineer in 1982 at the age of 19 with Texas Instruments. She is a currently managing development project for wireless communication using leading edge technology.

In 2002, Duy-Loan made TI's history by becoming the first woman and the first Asian American to get elected to the rank of TI Senior Fellow, a title held only by 4 other people at Texas Instruments. Duy-Loan holds 20 patents and 8 pending applications. Duy-Loan's contributions to TI on the people front is no less impressive. She chaired TI Houston Women Initiative and helped initiate several programs supporting career advancement for minorities such as 'Nurturing Minority To The Technical Ladder', 'Succession Planning for Female Fellows', Professional Lecture Series, DSP Boot camp for Managers/Supervisors and TI Houston Vietnamese Initiative. Duy-Loan's service to the community includes participation in various projects sponsored by United Way.

ADRIAN HONG, Executive Director of Liberty in North Korea (LiNK)

Working out of LiNK's headquarters office in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, Mr. Hong spends his time advocating for the North Korean people to governments, institutions and agencies worldwide, working on policy issues affecting the North Korean people, maintaining and supporting a large underground network of shelters for North Korean refugees in hiding, and organizing routes and operations on the underground railroad bringing North Korean refugees to freedom, with the help of a brilliant and dynamic core staff at LiNK. Mr. Hong has briefed and advised members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, the National Security Council, and officials of the US Department of State on the issue, as well as diplomatic and parliamentary representatives from the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Japan, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and the European Union, and officials of many international organizations and agencies.

While in college, Mr. Hong served as Executive Director of the 18th Annual KASCON (Korean American Students Conference), held at Yale University. Mr. Hong also helped found VASCON (Vietnamese American Student Conference), which now stands in its fourth year.

ABOUT THE BEACON OF LIGHT AWARD RECIPIENT

THIS YEAR’S “BEACON OF LIGHT” AWARD RECIPIENT: DR. NGUYEN NGOC BICH

The Vietnamese American Student Conference (VASCON) recognizes that for the youth of today to be the leaders of the tomorrow, they must have a solid foundation to pave the way for success. That is why VASCON focuses on bringing together individuals from numerous fields and disciplines to dialogue with attendees to explore pressing issues confronting the Vietnamese American community and how to take part in the solution. The Beacon of Light Award recognizes the individuals who share this mission of advancing our community.

Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich is a former Director of the Vietnamese Service at Radio Free Asia (RFA). Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, and educated in Saigon, the United States, Japan and Europe, Mr. Bich is fluent in seven languages.

As an educator, Nguyen Ngoc Bich has taught at university level both in Vietnam and in the United States. Since coming to the U.S. in 1975, he has taught adult education, elementary school and high school in Arlington, Virginia, then at the university level at Trinity College, George Mason University (where he taught Vietnamese Literature and Vietnamese Culture and Civilization), and Georgetown University (where he was a teacher trainer in Bilingual and Multicultural Education). Together with his wife, Dr. Dao Thi Hoi, a linguist and ESL specialist, he was one of a group of educators who in 1979 founded NAVAE (National Association for Vietnamese American Education), the ancestor of NAFEA (National Association for the Education and Advancement of Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Americans). Mr. Bich was the third president of NAVAE, which he headed from 1984 to 1986. Widely recognized for his work in education, he was appointed by President Bush to the post of Deputy Director, Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Language Affairs (aka OBEMLA), at the U.S. Department of Education, where he served under Secretary Lamar Alexander from 1991 to 1993.

CLOSING CEREMONY

XUYEN DONG-MATSUDA | Clinical Director, Orange County Asian Pacific Islanders Community Alliance (OCAPICA)

Cô Xuyen Dong-Matsuda holds a Bachelor degree in psychology (BA), a Masters degree in Clinical Social Work and Administration (MSW), and is a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW). She is a Service Chief of an Adult Outpatient Mental Health Service, which is part of a local government agency. She also serves as a consultant and trainer for the Orange County Asian Pacific Islanders Community Alliance (OCAPICA), Southeast Asian Education Foundation, Children Home Society, Little Tokyo Service Center and other human service organizations. In addition, she provides executive and personal life coaching to diverse professionals. Currently, Cô Xuyen is a doctoral candidate of clinical psychology program at CGI, School of Professional Psychology. She is also a long time member of the Vietnamese Professional Society. She is committed to contributing to the development of civil society in Vietnam through non-violent means and social activism.

WORKSHOP PREVIEW

Click here to see complete descriptions of the workshops.

TRACK

WORKSHOP#

SPEAKER(S)

TITLE
INT
Workshop I
 Lilly Nguyen Stop the Traffic: Planting Seeds for A Labor Movement of the People
INT
Workshop I
 Tuan Nguyen Warning: Contaminated Viral Area! Creating viral art and media for social change
DOM
Workshop I
 Dang Du Developing the Framework and skills to effect public policy changes facing the Vietnamese Community
DOM
Workshop I
 Duc Dinh Generating Positive Changes for Impoverished Children: Fundraising Strategies
INT
Workshop I
 Hien Dang & Duong Hoang Mental Health in the Vietnamese American community
Workshop I
 FILM FESTIVAL "Chopsticks" (15 min) / "Oh Saigon" (57 min)
INT
Workshop II
 Phong Ly & Giang Nguyen Hoang Sa/Truong Sa: South China Seizure and the New Generation of Student Protests
DOM
Workshop II
 Alexia Dinh The Unequal Burden of Cancer Among Vietnamese Americans
DOM
Workshop II
 Vudoo Vu &Kristine Sa The Evolving Battlefield of the Vietnamese American Entertainment
DOM
Workshop II
 Daniel Pham Silent and Compliant: Gender and Sexuality in the Vietnamese Community
DOM
Workshop II
 Jason Chan, Bernadette Balagot &Kara Fukumoto No Longer Invisible: Recognizing and Retaining Vietnamese American College Students on Campus
DOM
Workshop II
 Tuyet Duong Intersection of family violence and human trafficking in the Vietnamese community
Workshop II
 FILM FESTIVAL "Oh Mommy" (6 min) / "Dust of Life" (90 min)
DOM
Workshop III
 Trinh Le, James Bui, Mark Tran, Leo Esclamado & Kiet Do Vietnamese Mississippians Two Years After Katrina: How the Vietnamese Community Is Still Struggling To Rebuild.
DOM
Workshop III
 Jessica Dang Confessions of an Art World Debutante: The Art of Small Talk
DOM
Workshop III
 Stephane Gauger, Jenni Trang Le, Le Van Kiet & Doan Hoang Vietnamese Visions: Putting Contemporary Vietnamese Cinema in Focus
INT
Workshop III
 Duy Hoang Can Democracy Succeed in Vietnam?
INT
Workshop III
 Daphne Dang & Lisa Thuy Duong “Sustainable Sowing” - Cambodia Project/Resource Center, human rights with respect to human trafficking
DOM
Workshop III
 Ylan q. Mui The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword: Pursuing a Career in Journalism
Workshop III
 FILM FESTIVAL "Chopsticks" (15 min) / "Oh Saigon" (57 min)
DOM
Workshop IV
 Quoc Phan Student Activism: Blazing a path for a non-violent struggle
DOM
Workshop IV
 Helly Lee Life Sentences: The Impact of deportation on Southeast Asian American Communities
DOM
Workshop IV
 Caroline Luong-Tran, Cam-tu Ho, Darlene Tran, Mimi Truong &Tiffany Vu Are you a sower or reaper? A practical workshop on changing your local community. Stop talking and start DOING!
INT
Workshop IV
 Chau Nguyen/Ngoc Chu Meeting the Challenge of Global Health: Volunteering in Medical, Dental, & Public Health Care
DOM
Workshop IV
 Pabitra Benjamin, Alvina Yeh & Don Phan Disillusioned, Apathetic, Asian American? Organize or Assimilate: Your Choice.
DOM
Workshop IV
 Quang Ha Asian Greek Life - More than Just a Social Club
Workshop IV
 FILM FESTIVAL "Oh Mommy" (6 min) / "Dust of Life" (90 min)

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

Click on a workshop name to learn more about it.

Viet Wave Film Festival

STEPHANE GAUGER | Director of "Owl and the Sparrow"

Born in Saigon, Vietnam and raised in Orange County, California, Anh Stephen Gauger received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and French Literature at Cal State Fullerton. He subsequently worked in the camera and lighting departments on independent films in the U.S. and Southeast Asia, including "Three Seasons," "Green Dragon," and "Journey From the Fall," all the while honing his writing and directing craft on short films.

His feature-directing debut, "Owl and the Sparrow," shot on location in Saigon, premiered at the Rotterdam Film Festival 2007 and has gone on to win nine awards at international festivals in Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York. Anh Stephane was featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of 2007. He was also nominated for "Breakthrough Director" at the Gotham Awards and the John Cassavetes award at Independent Spirit Awards. He is now in post-production on "Viet Nam Overtures," a documentary on Vietnam’s classical music scene, including the National Symphony in Hanoi and the Saigon Symphony Orchestra. He is now forming a film distribution company with directors Anh Timothy Bui and Anh Ham Tran to showcase Vietnamese content films.

LE VAN KIET | Director of “Dust of Life”

Anh Le-Van Kiet was born in Vietnam. In 1982, at the age of four, he and his family became part of the Second Wave of Boat People who risked their lives to immigrate to the United States. He received a grant from the UCLA School of Film and Television for his short film “The Silence.” “Dust of Life” is the product of a four year journey in which marks Anh Le-Van Kiet’s first feature film debut.

JENNI TRANG LE | Writer, Director of "Oh Mommy" & Producer of "Chopsticks"

Chi Jenni Trang Le graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelors of Art in Anthropology. In a quest to create original works straight from their hearts, Chi Jenni and her cousin, Chi Nadine Truong began CuzCuz Productions in the fall of 2006, beginning with “Chopsticks”, a 15-minute family drama written and directed by Chi Nadine and produced by Chi Jenni. They are currently working on a feature length documentary on a Vietnamese family. In 2007, Chi Jenni received a grant from the “Armed With a Camera” fellowship sponsored by Visual Communications. Through that program, she was able to create “Oh Mommy” (Me Oi!), a 6 minute claymation short and her directing debut.

Her latest two film projects are in Viet Nam. Shot in December of 2007, “Viet Nam Overtures” is a documentary on symphony musicians, is directed by Anh Stephane Gauger and co-produced by Chi Jenni. She also served as the Production Manager for “Only If” a Russian comedy feature directed by Oleg Ossipanov.

DOAN HOANG | Director of “Oh Saigon”

Chi Doan Hoang (Hoang Nien Thuc-Doan) is an award-winning producer, director, and writer of films, heading her own production company, Nuoc Pictures. She was born in Nha Trang, Vietnam to a South Vietnamese Air Force major from Saigon and a Mekong Delta socialite. Raised in Kentucky, Chi Doan wrote her first book about the Vietnam War at age 9 and made her first documentary film about war at the age of 13. A graduate of Smith College, Chi Doan spent years as an editor and writer, working for national magazines such as Details, House & Garden, Spin, and Saveur. “Oh, Saigon” is a seven-year documentary study on her family, funded by the Sundance Institute, ITVS, the Center for Asian American Media, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and has played in festivals nationally and internationally. “Oh, Saigon” recently screened at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and won Best Feature Documentary at the Brooklyn Arts Council International Film Festival. Some of her other film titles include “Agent,” “Good Morning Captains,” and “A Requieum for Vegetables.” She is currently writing a screenplay about perception and producing a new documentary about Vietnam today.   Back to Top

The Exhibition

Leavey Program Room | Saturday, April 5 | 3 - 3:45pm

Looking for opportunities with non-profit organizations, activist groups, student and professional alliances, media networks, scholarship funds? Look no further. We've gathered some of the best and brightest around the region for The Exhibition on Saturday. Get your resumes and business cards out! It's time to network and discover the many faces of DC:

  • Asian American Success (AAS)
  • Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)
  • Asian Pacific Americans for Progress (APAP)
  • Boat People SOS (BPSOS)
  • East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU)
  • Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association (MVMA)
  • Mid-Atlantic Union of Vietnamese Student Association (MAuVSA)
  • Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN)
  • South East Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
  • Vietnamese American Community of the Washington DC Metropolitan Area
  • Vietnamese American Television (VATV)
  • Vietnamese Culture & Science Association (VCSA)
  • Vietnamese Overseas Initiative for Conscious Empowerment (VOICE)
  • Voting Rights Program

Back to Top

Stop the Traffic: Planting Seeds for A Labor Movement of the People

Lilly Nguyen, Field Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez

This workshop will focus on the harsh realities and gain more understanding of the exploitation of Vietnamese migrant workers and domestic laborers. The exercises and valuable discussions will provide the participants a road-map on how people can come together through labor movements and grassroots effort from each individual to help bring an end to the slave trade.

Chi Lilly Nguyen completed her Bachelor of Art degree in Child Psychology and Sociology at the University of Minnesota. After graduation, Lilly started her new adventure in Northern California at the South Bay Labor Council in San Jose with an interest in fighting for workers rights. Chi ?Lilly currently works as an aide to the United States Representative Loretta Sanchez of Orange County, California. She works on issues ranging from civil rights, human rights, and other issues affecting the Asian Pacific Islander community. An active member in the Vietnamese community, Chi ?Lilly currently serves as the Internal Vice President of the Phan Boi Chau Youth Organization, a group dedicated to preserving Vietnamese heritage and supporting the struggle for democracy in Vietnam.   Back to Top

Warning: Contaminated Viral Area! Creating viral art and media for social change

Tuan Kien Nguyen, ANH OI Apparel Design

Do you have a digital camera and access to the Internet? That’s all you need to start your own viral social campaign. This workshop will show you the common and uncommon tools and secrets of starting a viral campaign. Combining today’s accessible technology with the creativity and socially conscience youth there is no limit on what can be done. Capture your audience, become a citizen journalist, and make a difference today!

Anh Tuan Kien Nguyen is a multi-disciplined artist residing in the Washington DC metro area. His work includes television production, documentaries, animation, and most recently ANH OI, his own apparel design. Currently, Anh Tuan is producing a new animation series titled, "Legends of Vietnam" (LOV), in which he retells ancient Vietnamese folklore that contains proverbs and underlying moral lessons. He hopes that the characters in this animation will ignite new interest in the Vietnamese culture and provide the younger generation with a variety of heroes and heroines to look up to. Anh Tuan studied classical art in Rome, Italy and graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.A. in Imaging and Digital Arts in 2001.   Back to Top

Blending Past and Present in Vietnamese American Youth Activism

Nguyen Ngoc Bich, Chairman of the National Congress of Vietnamese Americans (NCVA)

Youth activism among Vietnamese Americans is characterized by a keen awareness of the past (the experience of the Vietnamese people) and their realization that they are now Americans. This is a function of family education, of the collective memory of the race, and of American education. This results in a very interesting blend illustrative of bi-cultural activism, that could serve as a model for social science analysis of other minority groups in America.

Chú Nguyen Ngoc Bich is one of the founders of NCVA (National Congress of Vietnamese Americans, founded in 1986), of which he is now the Chairman. An educator by profession, trained at Princeton, Columbia and Georgetown, he was appointed Deputy, then Acting, Director of the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs (OBEMLA), at the U.S. Department of Education under Secretary Lamar Alexander (1991-93). He is the author of several well-known books about Vietnamese culture, art and literature. He is probably best known as the first Director of the Vietnamese Service at Radio Free Asia (1997-2003).   Back to Top

Developing the framework and skills to affect public policy changes facing the Vietnamese Community

Dang Du, Candidate for Masters of Public Policy at Johns Hopkins University

This workshop will seek to equip young activists, community leaders, and emerging student leaders with the analytical tools and provide them with a multidisciplinary framework on how to translate thought into social action. Of particular focus are actions that affect social changes by fusing both a community organizing approach with useful policy analysis tools.

Anh Dang Du is currently a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in public policy at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, located just outside of Washington D.C. His policy concentration focuses on macroeconomic issues including: economic growth, fiscal and monetary policy. His childhood experiences in Vietnam sparked a strong interest in economics. Accordingly, he regards economics as the study of poverty, or a discipline thoroughly concerned with poverty alleviation. He’s also working at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a DC-based think-tank that engages in research on government policies that affects those in poverty.   Back to Top

Generating Positive Changes for Impoverished Children

Duc Dinh, Founder of Lend A Hand

With Vietnam’s rising economy, the gap between the rich and the poor has never been so far apart. We will have discussion on real and everyday scenario (base on a recent trip in December) and how we can provide impoverished children and orphans an opportunity to have a new beginning. Attendees will hear about heart breaking scenarios and learn of how they can make a difference. We will trade ideas with hopes of providing a major impact on children and poverty.

Anh Duc T. Dinh, 22 years old, is a community leader. At age 17, Anh Dinh founded Lend A Hand, Inc. (Vietnamese Youth Organization), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping impoverished children in Vietnam. The organization is in its fifth year and is running strong with successful humanitarian aid trips to Vietnam.   Back to Top

Mental Health Disparities among Vietnamese Americans

Hien Dang, Program Manager & Duong Hoang, Counselor, Boat People SOS (BPSOS)

The body of knowledge on Asian Americans’ mental health consistently cites Vietnamese Americans as underrepresented within the mental health care system. Specifically, multicultural mental health literature suggests stigma, saving face, perceived weakness, lack of awareness, and language as major barriers to the under utilization of mental health services among Vietnamese Americans. Sections of the presented workshop will aim to address the Vietnamese traditional beliefs about mental illnesses and the current mental health disparities; stimulate dialogue among participants on bridging the gap between mental health service providers and Vietnamese Americans; and equip the attendees with proven tools to “plant seeds” within their Vietnamese communities that can put an end to mental health disparities.

Chi Hien Dang is Program Manager of the Seniors and Trauma Survivors Empowerment Program (STEP) for BPSOS in Falls Church, VA. Chi Hien spearheads the national implementation of an innovative culturally responsive education and wellness program that addresses the mental health needs of Vietnamese seniors. Dedicated to serving the community, Chi Hien also invests in a wide range of service projects. In July 2007, she was a speaker at the Minority Women’s Health Summit in Washington, DC. Recently, Chi Hien enrolled at Argosy University’s College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, where she plans to graduate with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 2009.

Anh Duong Hoang received his B.S. from the University of Connecticut, his M.S. from Southern Connecticut State University, and is currently pursuing his doctorate at Howard University in Washington, DC. He presently serves as the mental health counselor for the STEP program BPSOS. A mental health therapist at a private practice on Capitol Hill in the D.C. area, Anh Duong is currently one of few Vietnamese Ph.D. candidate in Psychology.   Back to Top

Hoang Sa/Truong Sa: South China Seizure and the New Generation of Student Protests

Giang Nguyen, Len Duong Vietnamese International Youth Network & Phong Ly, Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California

Hoang Sa /Truong Sa (Spratley and Parcel Islands) is a hot topic and current concern of Vietnamese in and outside of Vietnam, particularly the younger generation. Because of the long-term and real effects of what is currently happening to Vietnam’s territorial integrity, it is critical that the Vietnamese youth be informed and take a stance on the issue, with regards to Vietnam’s future. Secondly, because the issue commands universal interest from Vietnamese everywhere, it is an ideal area of activism to bring together young Vietnamese across the globe.

Chi Giang Nguyen was born in Saigon, Vietnam and became refugee at age two. A member of Len Duong Vietnamese International Youth Network, Chi ?Giang has been a youth leader and activist for freedom of expression, human rights and democracy in Vietnam. She is an active member in the Vietnamese community, previously holding numerous titles including president to the UCLA Vietnamese Student Union and vice president to the Vietnamese Professionals Society. She has done freelance journalism work for Radio New Horizon, SBTN and AFPTV. Chi Giang received her B.A. in Business Economics from UCLA in 2001 and her M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University in 2007.

Currently an aide to a California assemblyman, Anh Phong Ly earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA with a double major in Economic/International Area Studies and International Development Studies. While attending UCLA, Phong was a leader in the Vietnamese Student Union. Born in Saigon, Anh Phong is active in the Vietnamese American community through youth organizations and community activities. In addition to serving as External Vice President of the Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California, Phong is also a member of the Phan Boi Chau Youth for Democracy.   Back to Top

The Unequal Burden of Cancer Among Vietnamese Americans

Alexia Dinh, Program Coordinator, Boat People SOS (BPSOS)

“No one is left behind,” is a phrase often used when referring to healthcare in the US. In actuality, many immigrant men and women seeking health care are left behind every day. Lack of health insurance, cultural stigmas, and lack of Vietnamese-speaking service providers and Vietnamese educational materials on basic health information lead to misconceptions and exacerbated health diagnosis. This workshop will address health disparities among Vietnamese Americans and equip attendees with ideas/skills on how they can make a difference.

Chi Alexia Dinh is the Program Coordinator for the Health Awareness Program for Immigrants (HAPI) at Boat People SOS (BPSOS). At BPSOS she does case management, conducts intakes, assesses needs to develop individualized health awareness plans, and refers clients to clinics, hospitals and local health care providers. Since she has been with the program, she has built and maintained partnerships with government agencies, funding sources, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, service providers, clinics and hospitals. Chi Alexia is also an entrepreneur and a community leader in humanitarian efforts. In her spare time, she organizes a project called “Roll Alongside Me”, which she founded to deliver wheelchairs to mobility-impaired individuals in Vietnam through fundraisers and charity banquets.   Back to Top

The Evolving Battlefield of the Vietnamese American Entertainer

Vudoo Vu, R&B Artist & Kristine Sa, Pop/Indie Artist

Everyone’s heard that all is fair in love and war – the entertainment industry for the modern Vietnamese American is no different. The stories presented in this workshop will be both personal and anecdotal with insider info about the nature of the Vietnamese & American entertainment industry to benefit those who have aspirations as singers, musicians, actors, entertainment lawyers, or business persons.

As one of the defining faces of today's emerging soul artists, Anh Vudoo Soul has broken barriers with the relentless, inspiring spirit that embodies his music. Displaying an explosive stage presence and a commanding voice that betrays his appearance, the MIT-graduate-turned-R&B singer-songwriter has infamously garnered a "you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it" reputation. Grand-prize winner of NY Kollaboration 2005, Grand-prize winner of California's Asian Elevation 2006 and champion of multiple Underground Hip-Hop/R&B Competitions in New York, he continues to work and travel constantly to bring a heart-felt voice to audiences across the nation.

Chi Kristine Sa began her singing career at the age of 17 under Nemesis Records. Her debut album, "I Never Knew", released in 2002, generated sales reaching all over the world. She continued her legacy with her second album, "reBIRTH" in 2004, her anime project, "AnimeToonz3" in 2005, and finally, "Hopeless Romantic" in early 2007. She is also a known voice actress in the Anime community and the musical voice of numerous English versions of anime theme songs for well-known shows such as "One Piece." Most recently she's released the first song she's written using her first language, Vietnamese. The track titled "My Last Goodbye" (available on iTUNES) has gotten countless attention for its clever play on languages, weaving seamlessly in and out of English and Vietnamese in lyrical context. To this day she continues to pave the way for a new and unique brand of Pop music.   Back to Top

Silent and Compliant: Gender and Sexuality in the Vietnamese Community

Daniel Pham, President, UCLA Vietnamese Student Union

The workshop explores gender and sexuality in the context of the Vietnamese community. Through different activities, participants will be able to investigate and survey how our culture discusses, or ignores, such pertinent issues. Participants will also be able to explore their own selves, their ways of thinking, and how they themselves affect others.

Born in 1986 in Vietnam, Anh Daniel Pham immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was 4. He did not come to discover his cultural roots until he attended UCLA. After a stint as an intern for the Vietnamese Student Union at UCLA, he was elected to be the Political Advocacy Coordinator for 2006-2007. Currently a third year student majoring in Neuroscience, Anh Daniel continues to be heavily involved in the Vietnamese community at UCLA and in Southern California through VSU.   Back to Top

No Longer Invisible: Recognizing and Retaining Vietnamese American College Students on Campus

Kara Fukumoto, Bernadette Balagot, Jason Chan, Gates Millennium Scholar | Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF)

Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian American students are often overlooked during conversations about college access and retention, as they are often lumped together with the overall Asian American population. This workshop will have participants explore and discuss some of these issues, and start to identify strategies to address them when they return to their schools and communities.


Kara, Bernadette, Jason

Ms. Kara Fukumoto is the Outreach Coordinator at APIASF and is responsible for outreach strategies and programs for the foundation. She served as Chair of the 2006 East Coast Asian American Student Union Conference (ECAASU) and recently got her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from George Washington University.

Ms. Bernadette Balagot is a Program Officer at APIASF and overseas the application process, outreach to students and communities, recruitment and training of volunteers, and the development of leadership and mentoring programs. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Business Administration at the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business.

Mr. Jason Chan is a Program Officer at APIASF and is responsible for developing programs and initiatives in the areas of academic support, leadership development and scholar and alumni relations. He earned his Masters of Education in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland-College Park.

APIASF is a national organization devoted solely to promoting higher education of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans by distributing scholarships for qualified students. Its mission is to forge partnerships building a national Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship organization that supports and encourages all Asian and Pacific Islander American students to pursue higher education, thereby developing future leaders who will contribute back to their communities, and ultimately, strengthening America.   Back to Top

Intersection of family violence and human trafficking in the Vietnamese community

Tuyet Duong, Senior Staff Attorney, Asian American Justice Center (AAJC)

The recent murder of 4 children by their own father in Alabama highlights the urgent need to address family violence, a rampant but ignored problem in the Vietnamese American community. Although they are different types of victimizations, family violence and human trafficking have extensive intersections and roots as an emerging threat to the liberty and dignity of Vietnamese immigrants. Attendees will learn how to mobilize peers at school and in their neighborhoods to start a grassroots community education campaign on family violence and human trafficking.

Chi Tuyet Duong is a Senior Staff Attorney at the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), an organization based in Washington, DC dedicated to advancing the human rights and civil rights of Asian Americans through advocacy, public policy, education, and litigation. At AAJC, Chi Tuyet leads its immigration legislative advocacy, education, and litigation efforts. She has been a featured speaker and panelist for various immigration conferences, civil rights panels, and Congressional briefings. She is currently the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Boat People SOS, Inc., and a founding board member of the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington DC.   Back to Top

Vietnamese Mississippians Two Years After Katrina: How the Vietnamese Community Is Still Struggling To Rebuild

Trinh Le, James Bui, Mark Tran, Leo Esclamado | AmeriCorps Members of National Alliance of Vietnamese American Service Agencies (NAVASA)

Interested in volunteering in the Gulf Coast Region or passionate about social justice work in general? Then this workshop will shine light on the numerous issues still facing the Vietnamese community in Biloxi, Mississippi, two years after Katrina. It will also allow you to discover how you can help the Vietnamese community address these issues as they rebuild their homes and livelihoods.


Left to right: Mark, Trinh, Leo, James

Anh Mark Tran, a 1st year fellow, is currently providing case management for the Vietnamese families being served by EBCRRA. He will be the coordinator for Youth Development, overseeing the development of the Community Science Workshop program for the youth of East Biloxi.

Chi Trinh Le, a 1st year fellow from the University of California, at Los Angeles, is working with the local Vietnamese small business owners to form a business association to oversee the development of the Vietnamese business corridor on Oak Street, between Howard Avenue and Division Street.

Anh Leo Esclamado, a 2nd year NAVASA Dan Than Fellow, has experience in the field of environmental justice and works conjunctively with local organizations to tackle legislative issues.
Anh James Bui, serves as Regional Director of NAVSA, overseeing the Gulf Coast operations in communities devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Recently, Anh James helped established a local community development corporation. Anh James has worked with community development agencies in Boston, Los Angeles, South Viet Nam, and Northern India on micro-credit economic development projects. He is President of H?ng Bàng, a US-based NGO that focuses on rural development in Viet Nam.

NAVASA works along its guiding principles of (1) building local institutional capacity, (2) pragmatically build programs and systems, and (3) practice disciplined critical thinking inside and out. The Biloxi branch provides EBCRRA with the necessary technical and critical support needed to help develop the organization beyond assisting residents back into their homes.   Back to Top

Confessions of an Art World Debutante: The Art of Small Talk

Jessica Dang, Fine Art Dealer

Cocktail parties prove to be the ultimate sink-or-swim test of social skills. Can you hold your own in a room of fine art experts, curators, collectors, and critics? This workshop will provide you with behind-the-curtains glimpse of the exclusive territory of the art world, and how to confidently navigate through its social situations and events.

Chi Jessica Dang is a consultant in her fiancé’s business of private dealing fine art (Impressionists, Modern Masters, Post-War and Contemporary). She is also a regular contributor to the JC Report, an online global fashion trend publication. She holds a Masters of Art (M.A.) degree in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art – New York, and a Bachelors of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree in Design Management from Parsons The New School for Design.   Back to Top

Can Democracy Succeed in Vietnam?

Duy Hoang, Viet Tan

What are the challenges for the Vietnamese democracy movement? How might political change come about? What role can each of us play? This workshop will examine strategies for promoting civil society, international awareness and linking up with the youth in Vietnam.

Born in Saigon, Anh Duy Hoang left Vietnam in April 1975 at the age of three. He holds a B.A. in economics and political science from the University of California, Davis and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business. He worked as an investment banker for over 10 years—including at the International Finance Corporation, the private-sector arm of the World Bank, where he was a principal financial officer. He has testified before US Congressional committees on human rights issues, and recently left his day job to become a full-time democracy activist. He is a member of Viet Tan, an unsanctioned pro-democracy party active in Vietnam. He currently lives in Washington DC.   Back to Top

Vietnamese Visions: Putting Contemporary Vietnamese Cinema in Focus

Stephane Gauger, Le Van Kiet, Jenni Trang Le, Doan Hoang (Click here to see their bios)

The new wave of Vietnamese Diasporic filmmakers are an extremely talented group of artists seeking to bring age-old stories into a contemporary light. Their tales of war and consequences, identity and humanity make up a complex, multi-faceted tapestry of Vietnamese cinematic representation. Come hear VASCON's FIlm Festival filmmakers discuss topics of transnationalism, bridging the generational gap in films, and the future of Vietnamese cinema.   Back to Top

“Sustainable Sowing” - Cambodia Project and Resource Center, human rights with respect to human trafficking

Lisa Thuy Duong Nguyen, Executive Director & Daphne Dang, Intern | Vietnamese Overseas Initiative for Conscience Empowerment (VOICE)

As Vietnamese youth, we have ripe hands and minds for human rights work. This workshop will discuss and distinguish between short-term and long-term human rights work to consider the obstacles and brainstorm practical ways of implementing long-term, sustainable change within disadvantaged communities.

Chi Lisa T.D. Nguyen graduated from Arts/Law at the University of Sydney in 2005 and has worked extensively for the past two years on issues relating to refugee protection. In 2006, she volunteered at the Representative Office of the Vietnamese Community in Australia (VCA) as a legal representative, Office Manager and advocate for stateless Vietnamese people remaining in the Philippines. After returning from the Philippines in 2007, she accepted the position of Executive Director of VOICE.

Chi Daphne Dang grew up in San Jose, California. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 2006. She volunteered with VOICE in the Philippines as a legal representative and Office Manager from April to November 2007. Currently, Chi Daphne is continuing to work with VOICE through an internship in the organization’s Washington, DC office. She plans to pursue a graduate education following her internship.

A leading non-government organization (NGO) working in Vietnamese refugee issues, VOICE was established in 2007 to win asylum for the last remaining stateless Vietnamese refugees in the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia. With successes of these resettlement, VOICE will now focus on the fight to stop human trafficking. Currently, its dedicated staff is working to open a resource office to service trafficked Vietnamese women and children in Cambodia.   Back to Top

The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword: Pursuing a Career in Journalism

Ylan Mui, Staff Writer, The Washington Post

Ever wonder if you have what it takes to succeed in the dynamic, 24/7 business of chronicling history? This workshop will help young people explore the world of journalism at a time of great change in the country and in the industry itself.

Chi Ylan Q. Mui is a staff writer at The Washington Post covering business news as well as consumer trends. She previously was an education reporter at The Post with a focus on young people, and her magazine story on race and diversity at a local high school 50 years after the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision won a national award from the Education Writers Association. Chi Ylan's reporting has taken her all over the world, from Vietnam to Brazil, from Las Vegas to Bentonville, Ark. Chi Ylan previously worked at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans, her hometown. She is former Vice President of the Washington, D.C., chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association and a graduate of the group’s Executive Leadership Program.   Back to Top

Student Activism: Blazing a path for a non-violent struggle

Quoc Phan, General Secretary, Len Duong International Vietnamese Youth Network

How can you turn your vision for Vietnam into a road map of smaller steps and turn it into reality? The youth movement and student activism have been a crucial voice in campus, national, and global campaigns. At a juncture, a student-led non-violent movement can be a revolutionary means to achieving social justice. Come learn about branding your message for your vision of Vietnam.

Anh Quoc D. Phan left Vietnam at the age of 3 with his parents and 6 siblings on a rickety boat built by his father. In 2003, he co-chaired the 3rd International Vietnamese Youth Conference at the University of San Diego, which yielded over 650 participants from 18 countries. Currently the General Secretary for the Len Duong International Vietnamese Youth Network, he recently chaired the 5th International Youth Vietnamese Conference held in Malaysia in January 2008.   Back to Top

Life Sentences: The impact of deportation on Southeast Asian American communities

Helly Lee, Director of Policy, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

In January 2007, the U.S. and Vietnam signed an agreement to repatriate Vietnamese nationals from the U.S. What does this mean and how did we get here? This workshop will focus on the topics of deportation and immigration policies, how they impact Southeast Asian American communities, and why we should care about this issue.

Ms. Helly Lee is the Director of Policy for the Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC). Prior to joining SEARAC, she spent some time on Capitol Hill interning and later working in Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum’s DC office. She was also a Program Coordinator at Hmong National Development (HND) where she coordinated the annual Hmong National Conference, and the HND annual scholarship among many other roles. Ms. Lee received her Masters of Social Work with a concentration in Social Policy and Evaluation from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and her B.A. in Social Work with a concentration in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.   Back to Top

Are you a sower or reaper? A practical workshop on changing your local community. Stop talking and start DOING!

Cam-tu Ho, Caroline Tran, Darlene Tran, Mimi Truong, Tiffany Vu | Females United for Self-Esteem Development (FUSED)

Hunger, poverty, genocide, epidemics, human trafficking- these are no doubt important issues on the global scale. However, what can you, a busy student or young professional, do for your immediate community in the time that you have? This interactive workshop is open to anyone striving to become a sower of change at the grass-roots level. Participants are encouraged to bring their creativity and problem-solving skills to this workshop. Information on starting your own non-profit, fundraising, and generating support will be addressed.

FUSED is a non-profit organization founded in 2007 by five friends from the DC Metropolitan Area: Cam-tu Ho, Caroline Tran, Darlene Tran, Mimi Truong, & Tiffany Vu. FUSED started as a Girls' Night Out and evolved into a funded non-profit organization. FUSED's founders are graduate students and young professionals with backgrounds in education, information technology, medicine, policy, psychology, refugee resettlement, marketing, and broadcast media. FUSED strives to address sexual abuse and cultural barriers to self-esteem development in their community.

Cam-Tu Ho: Cam Tu graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Decision Science Management Information Systems. While at GMU, she was President of the Vietnamese Student Association. As a Senior Technical Consultant, Cam Tu has taken the lead on various community service projects such as teaching economic concepts to children, homeless shelter renovations, and school renovations. She also teaches a monthly course on economics for low-income students & drop outs in Washington, DC.

Caroline Luong-Tran: Caroline Luong-Tran graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Public Policy, and is pursuing a doctorate in Clinical Psychology at George Washington University. Actively involved in the community, Caroline has coordinated Hurricane Katrina Relief trips to the Gulf Coast, worked as a reporter for the Vietnamese American Television Station, and served as President of VSA, and various leadership positions for Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity and the School of Public Policy Student Association. Caroline currently works for a refugee resettlement agency in Arlington, VA.

Darlene Tran: Darlene Tran graduated from George Mason University at 19 years old with a bachelor's degree in Biology. As a student leader, Darlene was the Vice President of the Vietnamese Student Association, Cultural Chair for VSA, Youth Group leader for Thieu Nhi Thanh The, and co-founder/leader of the Lac Hong Dance Group. Darlene is currently teaching high school Biology while preparing for graduate school.

Mimi Truong: Mimi Truong graduated from George Mason University at 19 years old with a bachelor's degree in Business Management. While at GMU, she was the External Vice Chair for the Asian Pacific American Coalition and the Vietnamese Temple Youth Group Lead Coordinator. She currently works as a Business Development Consultant.

Tiffany Vu: Tiffany Vu is a medical student at LECOM where she is VP of the Mentoring Club, the Pediatrics Club, and the American College of Osteopathic Physicians. She volunteers at local homeless and battered women's shelters to teach the importance of health & hygiene while monitoring for depression and suicidal inclinations. Weekly, she mentors at-risk youths between ages 10-19 and teaches nutrition and health to pre-school aged children. Tiffany graduated from George Mason University with a B.S. in Integrative Studies/Pre-med.   Back to Top

Meeting the Challenge of Global Health: Volunteerism in Medical, Dental, & Public Health Care

Dr. Ngoc Quan Chu DDS, Chairman, Hope For Tomorrow Inc.

We are privileged to have access to the world’s best dental and medical resources at our finger tips. However, there are millions who lack such basic needs. By providing dental/medical care to the underprivileged, we give them hope. By teaching the underprivileged public health, we educate them and give them the foresight for preventive care. Good physical and mental health is the building block of any society. By educating and showing people how to take care of themselves, we give them the tools and knowledge to “Plant the Seedlings” for future generations which are healthier and stronger.

Dr. Ngoc Chu heads his own practice with two offices in Maryland and has served as an Instructor for Maryland State Dental Association and Southern Maryland Dental Society. He has 20 years of experience in Dentistry and has served and led 18 dental and medical missions. Dr. Ngoc is now an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Maryland Dental School Post-Graduate Prosthodontic Program, and the Chairman of the Board for Hope For Tomorrow, a Rockville, MD based non-profit organization.   Back to Top

Disillusioned, Apathetic, Asian American? Organize or Assimilate: Your Choice

Pabitra Benjamin, Director of Organizing and Training & Alvina Yeh, Program Coordinator | Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)

Did you know that the Asian American vote can swing the outcome of the election? This workshop will highlight the promising strength and influence of the APIA community by looking at voting trends, and promote the organization of voting campaigns on the college campus.

Pabitra Benjamin is the Field Director for the Rights Working Group, and was the former Field Director for APIAVote, where she worked with local APIA organizations to develop on-the-ground voter engagement programs. Pabitra graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with a double major in Political Science and Languages & Cultures of Asia.

Alvina Yeh is the Program Coordinator of APIAVote where she coordinates the internship and youth outreach programs. She is also a member of the events, communications, and web development teams for APIAVote. In addition to working at APIAVote, Alvina serves as the Midwest/West-Coast Regional Director for Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. Alvina graduated from the University of Colorado – Boulder where she studied International Affairs and Ethnic Studies.

APIAVote is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Pacific Islander Americans in the electoral and public policy processes at the national, state and local levels.   Back to Top

Asian Greek Life - More Than Just a Social Club

Quang Ha, Candidate for MBA at George Washington University

With the Asian Greek scene becoming a hotspot for college co-eds, many are reaping the benefits of joining such organizations. This workshop will provide a great informative outlet to show that Asian Greek life is more than just about parties and friends. It is a way to get involved and to give back, not just to the Asian clubs at school, but to the overall community. This workshop will also show how we, specifically Asian American fraternities and sororities, are different from the stereotypes portrayed in movies such as Animal House and Old School.

Anh Quang Ha, is a first year MBA student at The George Washington University, concentrating in Human Resource Management. Prior to attending GW, he lived in San Diego where he worked at UCSD as a Human Resource Coordinator, helping chartered an Asian American Fraternity at Florida State University, one of the very first in the Southeast United States. An alumnus of the University of California, Irvine, where he majored in Asian American Studies, Anh Quang continues his active involvement in the Asian American community.   Back to Top