Vietnamese American National Gala

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Logo of the Vietnamese American National Gala.

The Vietnamese American National Gala (VANG), was founded by Ryan Nguyen Hubris. It is a national annual celebration of Vietnamese heritage and pride, which is held in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration in May of each year, which honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contributions to America.

VANG is the premier Vietnamese American gathering in the nation. The black-tie dinner gala brings together nearly a thousand Vietnamese American luminaries, elected officials, corporate sponsors, and community and business leaders, to honor some of America’s best and brightest, and it is poised to be the preeminent West Coast celebration of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

[edit] Vision

Celebrate our pride as Americans of Vietnamese descent;
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month;
Honor Vietnamese Americans, individuals, and organizations for their contributions to the Vietnamese American community and America; and
Promote education, leadership, and volunteerism.

[edit] Testimonies of VANG

“…The Vietnamese American community has helped enrich our country in so many ways. Your accomplishments are an inspiration to us all. Most of all, your faith in the freedoms and opportunities of this country and your willingness to pursue it with determination has deepened your fellow citizens' appreciation for these values as well…The future holds even greater promise for the Vietnamese American community. Our country needs your continued participation, contributions, and engagement.”

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao, VANG 2005 Keynote Speaker

“It is a special privilege to be able to take part in this wonderful celebration as an Honorary Vietnamese American. You have touched me deeply with this very special award.”

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, VANG 2004 Honorary Vietnamese American & Keynote Speaker

“It is thrilling to share time with you from the podium on the inaugural of this Gala. It has already gone far to increase the profile of Vietnamese Americans in our nation's capitol.”

Ambassador Sichan Siv, United States Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, VANG 2004 Special Guest Speaker

"In order to know where you're going, you must recognize how far you've come. VANG does that by honoring the huge accomplishments Vietnamese Americans have achieved in the past thirty years. It's an event that inspires and instills pride in both our heritage and our will to succeed."

Betty Nguyen, Anchor, CNN, and MC for VANG

"VANG provides an annual forum for Americans of Vietnamese heritage to come together, network, and recognize the distinguished accomplishments of our best and brightest. This event highlights and showcases the work ethic, diversity, and resiliency of the Vietnamese American community. It also demonstrates the significant contributions that Vietnamese Americans make on a daily basis to our new homeland."

Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Motor Co., Director Advanced Product Creation & SVT, Chief Engineer of the 40th Anniversary Iconic 2005 Mustang, and VANG 2005 Honoree

“VANG is an elegant event that celebrates the contributions of honorees, who represents a much larger pool of Vietnamese American talent. For me, the VANG Golden Torch Award is a great honor that reminds me to carry the Vietnamese American torch with great pride in academic medicine and to pass the torch on to the next generation of Vietnamese American academicians. VANG reminds me that we are rooted in a great culture and people, whose determination has contributed significantly to our new home in America.”

Chi Van Dang, Ph.D., MD, Vice Dean & Professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and VANG 2005 Honoree

“VANG has an incredible reach and network. It provides an opportunity for other Vietnamese Americans, as well as non-Vietnamese Americans, who may not be familiar with the Vietnamese American community on a national level to become more aware of how active and organized we are. By having Secretary Norman Y. Mineta and Secretary Elaine L. Chao be the keynote speakers in 2004 and 2005 respectively, it certainly raises the awareness of the Vietnamese American community with the White House.”

Frank Jao, President & CEO of Bridgecreek Development and Principal Developer of “Little Saigon” in Westminster, California and corporate sponsor of VANG

“Through the Vietnamese American National Gala, many have come to know in greater depth about the contributions of Vietnamese Americans to America. On the website www.vangUSA.com, under ‘Facts and Trivia,’ there are pages after pages of the contributions made by the Vietnamese Americans. To this end, VANG plays a vital role in the continued development of the Vietnamese American community and America.”

Henry Huong Le, President of the Viet Heritage Society, host of VANG, and Co-Founder of Lee’s Sandwiches (with 30 locations in California, Arizona and Texas.)