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What's Happening in VN?

April 23rd, 2013 - In Ha Noi, one million books are being given to children from rural, mountainous and remote areas of the country as part of a programme launched by Kim Dong Publishing House

fulfilling the desire of every child to read a story book.  The task will be fulfilled under a program called "One Million Books for Poor Children"and will be conducted over a span of three years. In the first phase of the program, 7000 books will be distributed to children in Soc Son district in Ha Noi.  One million books will be distributed to 2000 schools in disadvantaged districts across the country.  The program aims to bring happiness to children and aims for a community where the Vietnamese join hands in developing the reading culture among the younger generation, especially children in remote mountainous districts. 

I hope this program helps these young students to have all the opportunities for knowledge that they deserve.

Here is an inspiring video that I have shown at one of our past GBMs. If you missed it, please don't hesitate to watch:

In Search of a Better Life

The Fall of Saigon, A Sad Day in VN

A Look Back in Time: Vietnam's History

April 30th, 2013 marks the 38 years since The Fall of Saigon. The Fall of Saigon, or Ngày mất nước, is the date of the capture of Saigon, Vietnam's capital.  Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese as the forces invaded Vietnam with attacks, signaling the end of the Vietnam War.  This event led to the formal reunification of VN into a communist state. By the end of that day, South Vietnam was under the control of North Vietnam. Saigon was then renamed "Ho Chi Minh City." Although it was a sad day, The Fall of Saigon is a part of our history and has made the Vietnamese who we are today. It is important to know about what our country has gone through in the past, to fully understand our heritage. 

For further knowledge, please check out this video:
The Last to Leave: The Fall of Saigon

Vietnamese Americans Today

Vietnamese Americans of the generation are making their names in America. Let's take a look at some familiar faces.  

No one is a stranger to YouTube anymore.  Vietnamese-Americans are making their names through the use of media, by posting videos on channels.

She posts makeup, beauty, and fashion tutorials and encourages confidence in her views. You probably know her: Michelle Phan. Michelle Phan is a Vietnamese-American YouTuber who dropped out of Ringling College of Art and Design and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. She first began posting tutorials on Xanga under the name of Ricebunny.  Joining YouTube on July 18th, 2006, she has become the most subscribed beauty channel on YouTube. In 2010, she was hired by Lancome.  This goes to show that if you have perseverance, and follow your dreams just as Michelle says, you have the ability to do whatever you set your mind to.  She is now a millionaire, just at the age of 26. Let's give it up for Miss Phan :)

Check out her most recent video:

 

 Cathy Nguyen, 22, is an unsigned YouTube artist who is fresh and talented. She is home to one of the 50 most subscribed channels on YouTube. 

Levy Tran is my all time girl crush.  She's a sexy and edgy, but silly Vietnamese model with a whole lotta tattoos.  She was born and raised in San Jose, California and currently models for Models International.  Levy has been featured on magazines such as Bizarre, Inked, and Tattoo Life. Girl is just too cool.

What the Family Means in VN

Family - what Vietnamese lives revolve around.

There may be some things about the Vietnamese culture that you may not know. Family is the center of all things in Vietnam. Vietnamese are very family-oriented.

The Family

• It is not uncommon for generations of family to live under the same roof. 
• In Confucian tradition, the father is the head of the family and it is his responsibility to provide food, clothing, and shelter as well as make important decisions for the family.  They have ultimate responsibility.
• Traditional values of Vietnamese lifestyle were deeply affected by Confucian ethics. 

• Sons are valued more highly than daughters, as men tend to have a higher status than women in VN. 
• The relationship between siblings is determined by the principle of seniority, which requires younger siblings to respect and obey the older ones. 
• Obedience and respect are the traditional values which Vietnamese children are taught to exhibit in their family. 
• When parents grow old, children are expected to take care of them to compensate for the gift of birth and upbringing. 
• Tradition says that following death, the spirit lives on. Descendants worship their ancestors to ensure their good favor. On the anniversary of a family member's death, the Vietnamese hold ceremonies in their memory. 

Does this sound familiar to your family? It's a little bit more than familiar when it comes to mine, as my parents really push for Vietnamese tradition. I hope you guys found this interesting. In comparison to American life, the Vietnamese have more structure and complexity in their tradition, values, and culture. 

"If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people."

                                   - Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Monk, Activist, & Writer 1926) 

Connect with VSA

VSA has planned a bunch of upcoming events for all of you! In case you have trouble remembering, below are some reminders for you. If you type the name of the event in the FaceBook search bar, you will be able to find the event and all other details regarding it.

TOMORROW
"VSA'S 3RD GBM"
We hope you guys had a good spring break, but don't forget about
us! VSA is having our 3rd GBM of the spring semester TOMORROW.
Banh mi and chrysanthemum tea will be provided! We'll also go on the
Gladfelter rooftop to play some games if it's warm enough! :)

Keep in mind: Membership is $5 for the whole year. It's never too late
to join!

Location: As always, Gladfelter 107
When: 4:30-6PM

THIS Thursday, March 21, 2013
"PHO NIGHT WITH TEMPLE VSA"
This event has been heavily demanded! Members will get a
food voucher, so make use of your membership!
You can't go wrong with food...
RVSP on FB, again, by searching the name in quotes above
OR
by messaging or letting a fellow E-Board member know.

Location:TBA
When: 7PM


THIS Friday, March 22, 2013
"THE SHE BOOK READING BY MICHELLE MYERS VOLUNTEERING"
Join us at this event organized by the Asian Arts Initiative.
Michelle Myers takes us on a journey through storytelling, spoken poetry,
and song, celebrating the strength and beauty of women. Michelle hopes to
build a community united in the restorative energy of love, acceptance,
and personal power.

*Proceeds from the event go toward Odanadi, an organization based in India
that rescues and rehabilitates women and children who are survivors of
human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

Location: Asian Arts Initiative
When: 7PM


THIS Saturday, March 23, 2013
"CHARITY BANQUET"
Temple VSA is helping out Temple Pharm students by selling their
charity banquet tickets. In return, they have also offered 5-10 spots
to help out at the banquet.  Volunteers get free admission and food.
Profits go toward Vietnam Medical Assistance and Charity Organization.

Location: Saigon Maxim Restaurant
When: 7PM


Monday, March 25, 2013
"VSA ASSASSINS GAME"
Test your stalking skills with VSA and play this on-campus game!
WINNERS get a prize. This game is super fun, don't miss out.
All players MUST register by Saturday, March 23rd.


Friday, April 5, 2013
"TEMPLE VSA RELAY FOR LIFE"
There is still time to register for Relay for Life!
This is a very good cause that benefits those who
are cancer survivors or who have lost a close one
from cancer. Together, we can overcome and
build strength against the fight for cancer.

To sign up or donate, please visit:
www.relayforlife.org
& look for our team - Temple VSA

Location: Right here at TU!
When: 8PM

GET INVOLVED!


Saturday, April 20, 2013
"TEMPLE VSA'S FIRST ANNUAL MISTER TEMPLE ASIA PAGEANT"
You saw Miss Temple Asia, our cultural pageant is BACK.

Temple VSA, Beta Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Delta Chi Psi Fraternity, Inc. are collaborating to host the first annual Mister Temple Asia Pageant.

Have you ever wanted to voice your opinions and beliefs on Asian-American issues within the Temple community? Do you take honor in your nationality and want to portray the talents you've inherited through your ethnicity? Make your difference in the Asian-American community through cultural awareness, academic excellence, and community service and APPLY NOW!

Applications are due MARCH 31ST, 2013. 
For more information on the event, or if you would like or known anyone who would like
to apply for the cultural pageant, please visit:
http://mrtempleasia.weebly.com/

Location: Howard Gittis Student Center Room 200C
When: 7PM

It's going to be hilarious, and loads of fun so you better come!



OTHER WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED: 
FaceBook
Twitter

No Boundaries

What's happening in Vietnam now?

 

David Seton, a New Zealander, who now resides in Vietnam, will lead a team of 15 on a 2,000 km motorcycle journey across the country to raise money for healthcare.  This trip is called "Honda67" from April 10th to May 1st.  Members from Honda67 clubs nationwide will join the team at provincial stops in order to promote the program.



The journey through 15 provinces and cities aims to raise $400,000 USD for women and infants' healthcare programs in two poor districts known as Phu Ninh and Phuoc Son in the province of Quang Nam.

Seton said the program focuses on providing equipment for health clinics for young babies and pregnant mothers in the poorest districts.

The program has already raised $50,000 USD from donors all around the world.  This is a great cause and it's awesome to see what people can do when they come together for a common cause.  Slowly but surely, the barriers between cultures are disappearing, and people are finding ways to interconnect with each other across the world. Pretty cool. :) We've come a long way.

Check out this video!:

For more info please visit this website:
The Great Honda 67 Ride

Flower Power

Greetings VSA!

I hope some of you got the chance to see the Philadelphia Flower Show this year! This year's show was British themed. It's pretty cool to see different people from all over the country come together to witness the beauty of nature. I was working at the show for the entire week, and boy am I grateful that the chaos is over. 

Anyways, being at the Flower Show made me wonder what Vietnam's national flower is.  

Currently, the lotus flower is taking the lead in the national flower process.  

According to Vietnam News, the lotus flower is likely to become Vietnam's national flower, following voting in the selection of a flower to represent the country.  Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved a request from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to choose a national flower for Vietnam.  The ministry asked people from across the nation to vote for the national flower, in which most people had voted for the lotus flower. 

A little something interesting:

Lotus flowers are symbols of purity. According to esoteric Buddhism, the heart of beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein the the lotus blossoms. This is why you often see Buddha sitting on a lotus in bloom.  They are plants symbolic of the religion Buddhism.