Đố Vui Cùng Học | Fun Quiz with Learning

“The Vietnamese Language Quiz Competition

“Fun Quiz with Learning”

A Great Joy for Parents of Vietnamese Origin in Northern California”

By Phương Hoa

Vietnamese Youth Oversea

A Dedication to the “TUOI TRE HAI NGOAI” program

Vietnamese Youth Overseas, together let’s unite,

Preserving our language, from morning to night.

Descendants of Vietnam, beloved we see,

Rich in arts and literature, talent flows free.

LEARN – PLAY – CONNECT, to horizons we aim,

All year, our Vietnamese gardens burst into flame.

Come on! Let’s sing loud and proud!

Descendants of Hồng Lạc, advance without doubt!

Phương Hoa

“Valley of Golden Flowers” is one of the cultural hubs of the Vietnamese community in California. Countless associations, organizations, literary and poetry clubs, TV and radio stations, newspapers, and magazines in the Vietnamese language have existed for a long time in Northern California. They all share the goal of preserving the Vietnamese language and culture in the diaspora. On Saturday, September 16th, 2023, at the Santa Clara County auditorium, the “Fun Quiz with Learning” competition of the Vietnamese Overseas Youth program was a resounding success, warming the hearts of parents and the Vietnamese-American community in San Jose and neighboring areas.

The organizing committee for the competition included:

• Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng (Lạc Việt Literary Club – San Jose)

• Ms. Thanh Loan (TTL College – San Jose)

• Mr. Thái Phạm (Lạc Việt Literary Club – San Jose)

• Mr. Hùng Tâm (TTL College – San Jose)

The head of the organizing committee, Thanh Loan, took the stage to introduce the Vietnamese Overseas Youth program. She mentioned that this program was recently established, only in 2022, to help young Vietnamese Americans enhance their Vietnamese language skills and gain a deeper understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture. They are also provided with support and training to develop their talents through artistic performances during holidays and weekend activities. According to Thanh Loan, Overseas Youth comprises three main activities:

1. LEARN: Creating an enjoyable and educational environment where the young participants can learn and develop their Vietnamese language skills through games and puzzles covering various topics.

2. PLAY: Establishing an entertainment-oriented atmosphere during cultural activities.

3. CONNECT: Encourage children to connect with each other and with the community, as well as to participate in social volunteering activities.

The “Fun Quiz with Learning” competition consisted of three topics: “How to Talk to Grandparents and Parents Properly, “Using Polite Terms and Respect the Older,” and “Proper Vocative.”

The panel of judges for the competition included four individuals: Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng, Attorney Betty Dương, Professor Cẩm Bình, and Phương Hoa. Judge Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng was invited to speak. He wholeheartedly supported the meaningful endeavor of the program, expressing his hope that the community would support it to ensure that Vietnamese language quiz competitions continue to exist and flourish.

After Thanh Loan announced the rules and regulations of the competition, the entertainment program kicked off to bring joy. The performance groups included the La Vang Dance Troupe, featuring some very charming dance moves by the children, and the Hip-Hop group from UC Davis, who performed with great professionalism; especially the young talents from the Sao Mai Preschool, which captivated the audience’s attention. Everyone was delighted by the lively and graceful “Hip-Hop Dance” performance by the student group.

After an enthusiastic round of Bingo, as exciting as New Year’s Day, hosted by a skilled local announcer, the Fun Quiz Part I began. The contestants in this round were aged between 3 and 7 years old. The competition featured 5 questions, with Team A called the “Butterflies” and Team B known as the “Bees.” The questions were simple, and the children eagerly competed to buzz in with their adorable answers.

“When you meet an adult, what should you say?” Team A quickly buzzed in. And the answer, “Good day, ma’am/sir,” earned a perfect score from all the judges.

The competition became more and more lively as it progressed; the older the children were, the more challenging the questions became, and the answers from the contestants became more impressive and interesting.

After Part II of the competition, a trio of siblings, Nguyễn ANNA Bảo Châu, Nguyễn Linda Ngọc Châu, and Nguyễn Victor Hồng Phúc, performed a musical ensemble with the traditional instrument, the Đàn Tranh, playing the piece “Bài Ca Tôm Cá” with exquisite fingerwork. At times, their performance was as gentle and soothing as falling dew or a spider’s silk; at other times, it flowed gracefully like drifting clouds and breezy winds. There were moments of intensity as if the waves were surging in the open sea, captivating the entire auditorium. Then, suddenly, rounds of applause erupted when the young musicians paused.

Interwoven between the competitions were numerous artistic performances, solo and duet singing, Vietnamese poetry readings, ensemble singing, dances, and instrumental music. The final dance performance, “Gieo Quẻ,” by the Việt Trẻ group, was incredibly entertaining and unique. Children from preschool to college levels received thorough training, producing exceptional and professional performances.

The atmosphere of the competition was enthusiastic and lively. The contestants eagerly responded with clear and intelligent answers in Vietnamese, adhering to proper grammar and language etiquette. The questions posed by the organizing committee were not only intriguing but also educational, aligning with the standards of “Tiên Học Lễ, Hậu Học Văn” from the educational system of our former Republic of Vietnam. I couldn’t contain my joy and the overwhelming emotions within me. While observing team AB answering questions and scoring, I hastily jotted down a few lines of poetry to capture my “heated” feelings. At the end of the competition, Judge Nguyễn Hồng Dũng took the stage to read a poem as a gift to the Organizing Committee, the students, and the esteemed guests.

Congratulations to the Program “Fun Quiz with Learning”

(Celebratory Verse)

Congratulations to the program, so successful,

Congratulations to the Organizing Committee, with hearts so generous,

Congratulations to the “Youth” advancing far,

Congratulations to the overseas community united together,

Congratulations to preserving the Vietnamese language, now and forever,

Congratulations to the beautiful colors of Vietnamese culture,

Congratulations to the “Fun Quiz with Learning,” so adorable,

Congratulations to all fellow countrymen accompanying,

Congratulations to parents with lovely children,

Congratulations to teachers educating virtuous students,

Congratulations to the sponsors, harmonious and kind-hearted,

Congratulations to everyone from every region; in peace,

Congratulations, wishing good luck to all,

Congratulations, bringing endless joy to the audience.

At the end of the three competitions came the prize distribution. The first-place teams received certificates of commendation and gifts for each student. But even the second-place teams received consolation prizes for each student. Everyone, from students to parents, was joyful because they all understood that learning and having fun were the main goals.

The program was a tremendous success, and the enthusiasm was so contagious that not one of the over two hundred audience members left early, as is common at other events. Everyone stayed until the very end. In today’s entertainment program, I was deeply “impressed” by little Jenny Đan Anh’s rendition of the United States National Anthem and the “Sisters in Purple” group, a charming family all dressed in purple, who performed a beautiful ensemble song titled “A Letter Sent to Heaven.” Sitting at the judge’s table by the stage, I had a clear view and could see the vivid expressions on each child’s face as they sang, which moved me immensely.

After the conclusion of the competition, the audience was invited outside to enjoy the evening meal. There was an abundance of various dishes meticulously prepared by the Organizing Committee. Rows of tables along the center hallway of the venue were filled with food and drinks featuring American and Vietnamese cuisine, along with an array of desserts, sticky rice, and fruits, all in vibrant and enticing colors.

Outside, I had the opportunity to exchange words with many community members, and everyone expressed their happiness and delight with today’s rich Fun Quiz program. One parent mentioned that she had been watching for hours and never got bored. “This program should be preserved and further developed,” she said excitedly. Musician Thiên Phương from the Văn Thơ Lạc Việt (VTLV)  commented, “This program is excellent; it should have been around for a long time.” Mrs. Thanh, the wife of Mr. Chinh Nguyên, an advisor of the VTLV organization, had a bright smile when I asked her about her thoughts on today’s program. “Many people love this program. Everyone around me was clapping enthusiastically, and no one wanted to leave even though it had ended.”

Meeting the Head of the Organizing Committee, Thanh Loan, outside, I congratulated her on the great success of today’s Vietnamese language competition and took the opportunity to ask her a few questions about the reporting.

Phương Hoa: I understand that the Overseas Youth program was newly established in 2022, but it has made significant strides, most notably with the cultural activities and Talkshows on VNA-TV in recent times. Could you please tell us if the idea to initiate this program was your own, Thanh Loan? If so, could you kindly share the reasons that led you to develop these valuable ideas, which I’m sure the Vietnamese overseas community will greatly appreciate and cherish?

Thanh Loan: This program was indeed proposed by me, with the collaboration of Mr. Thái Phạm. My fondness for engaging with children is the reason behind it. I noticed that Vietnamese children born and raised here have limited exposure to the Vietnamese language, and their understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture is diminishing. Moreover, our community hasn’t had a program that specifically encourages young people to learn Vietnamese.

Phương Hoa: Amazing! It’s surprising that someone at the halfway point of the generation, like Thanh Loan, is concerned about the homeland and the language of Vietnam. So, was today’s Fun Quiz Vietnamese language competition also one of Thanh Loan’s remarkable ideas? If not, then whose “significant effort” was it? And what reasons or motivations contributed to the creation of this competition?

Thanh Loan: The goal of the Overseas Youth program is to help children improve their Vietnamese language skills and understanding of traditional Vietnamese culture while also fostering their talents through artistic performances. Therefore, I came up with the idea for the Fun Quiz with Learning, a program that can engage young people by combining fun with learning opportunities.

Phương Hoa: Thanh Loan, is there anything you’d like to share with Vietnamese parents who have children in the appropriate age range for the Youth program, as well as with our Vietnamese community?

Thanh Loan: These are my plans, but Thanh Loan and the Organizing Committee cannot continue with future programs without the support of parents and sponsors. So, I sincerely hope parents and our community will support and enable the program to continue its activities. At this point, I would like to express my gratitude to our generous sponsors for today’s program: Mr. Lê văn Hải (the president of the VTLV organization) and all the members of VTLV, Mr. Hùng Tâm (President of TTL College), Dr. Hồng Dũng and Di Lạc Restaurant, Mr. and Mrs. Chinh Nguyên from TVLV, author Kiều Mỹ Duyên, AC Thưởng Thanh from the Divine Mercy SMG group, Dr. Nguyễn Minh Lợi, and especially VNA-TV for your supporting the Fun Quiz with Learning program.

I was about to get some food when I noticed the “Sisters in Purple” group happily capturing photos together near the entrance.   The four sisters, along with the youngest girl, were all dressed in purple, standing with their parents, Phương and Hải. “A fortunate family with the ‘Five Dragon Princesses,'” I remarked, and together with the Organizing Committee, we took a photo with them.

As a professional habit, I quickly took this opportunity to interview Phương, the mother of the children:

Phương Hoa: “Congratulations to your family for having five very lovely daughters. They’re so adorable! Can I ask for any special reason why the children chose the group name ‘Nhà Tím’ (Purple House)?”

Phương: Thank you very much. I’m very happy and grateful for your love and attention to my five daughters, the ‘5 Chị Em Màu Tím’ (5 Sisters in Purple). The reason the children chose the music group name ‘5 Chị Em Màu Tím’ is because they love the color purple, and I do too. Since they were little, they’ve always liked wearing purple clothes and using purple items. They dislike it when I buy clothes in other colors, so they only wear them once or twice and never wear them again. After that, they go back to wearing purple clothes. So, from then on, I only buy special purple items for them.

Phương Hoa: “How adorable!” I said. “When did the children start participating in performing arts, and do they attend Vietnamese language school? What motivated your family to get involved in the Fun Quiz with Learning program?”

Phương: The children started participating in performing arts when the oldest, Katelynn, was seven years old. She entered singing and talent competitions in San Jose, won first place, the Grand Prize, and received an iPad as a reward. After that, various aunts, uncles, and grandparents from the region started inviting Katelynn and her sisters Kassie, Katie, and Kasslynn (the youngest, Kayleen, doesn’t know how to sing yet) to perform at many charitable events. They sang to build temples and churches around the Bay Area, raise funds for cleft lip repair for the poor, raise funds for homeless students, and support hungry children worldwide. There are so many events!

Phương Hoa: “Oh! Katelynn and your children are amazing! They’ve accomplished such extraordinary things. The Vietnamese singing performances by the ‘Bé Tím’ (Purple Kids) were fantastic and very… professional. I wonder if your children received vocal training from any school or institution?”

Phương: Thank you for the compliments. Katelynn (the second oldest) was very lucky to have a teacher who liked her singing voice, so she received a full scholarship from one of the most famous Italian/English singers to teach her every week. Thanks to that, Katelynn can sing in four languages: Vietnamese, English, Italian, and Spanish. As for their Vietnamese singing, no one else taught them except for me, Phương.

Phương Hoa: “That’s amazing! Wow! I’m so proud of both Hải and Phương, as Katelynn can sing in four languages. She has a bright future ahead. Congratulations! So, are you satisfied with the results of this Vietnamese quiz competition today, Phương? And what are your children’s upcoming plans?”

Phương Hoa: “Thanks, Phương, you’re an amazing mother! You’ve nurtured and taught your children wonderfully, contributing to preserving our culture and the Vietnamese language. Do you have any constructive suggestions for the organizing committee of today’s competition?”

Phương: I would like to suggest creating a club for young Vietnamese-American children in Santa Clara County. We could meet once a month (perhaps on a Friday after school) to allow the kids to socialize, play, and, most importantly, maintain their Vietnamese language and cultural heritage. Parents should also stay and participate in activities with their children and other parents. It shouldn’t be a “drop and go” situation because the kids need guidance and support during playtime.

In further conversation with some parents, I met Tâm Ngộ, the mother of Jenny Đan Anh, the girl who sang the U.S. National Anthem beautifully and impressed everyone. When asked how Đan Anh learned to sing the U.S. National Anthem so well, given its difficulty, and when she started singing it, Tâm Ngộ explained that Đan Anh had been singing the U.S. National Anthem since she was 8 or 9 years old. “And thanks to singer Tuyết Nhi, who trained her, Đan Anh’s singing improved significantly. In addition, Đan Anh also knows and sings the National Anthem of the Republic of Vietnam because she considers herself Vietnamese and believes she should know the Vietnamese National Anthem,” she added.

I was delighted and deeply touched when I learned about Đan Anh’s thoughts, “I’m Vietnamese, so I should know the Vietnamese National Anthem,” and then remembered her lovely face and confident eyes when she sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“Congratulations,” I said, “I hope Đan Anh will keep this thought as she grows up.”

Tâm Ngộ also mentioned that she found the Overseas Youth program organized by Thanh Loan very good and meaningful. “People say, ‘As long as there’s the Vietnamese language, there are Vietnamese people,’ so we have to make an effort to maintain and preserve it by speaking and reading Vietnamese to our children and teaching them about Vietnamese customs and traditions. The most valuable thing for Vietnamese people is to show respect and humility towards elders, which is why I support Thanh Loan’s program with the theme ‘Tiên Học Lễ, Hậu Học Văn.’ For me, this was the first time we organized something like this, and it was quite successful. A program with so much meaning and usefulness should be expanded further by promoting it so that more people know about it,” she said.

Tâm Ngộ also asked me to take a picture of the poem I hastily wrote to commemorate everyone during the judging process. She said she wants to preserve it as a keepsake. And then we went to the food area to enjoy some dishes with everyone.

The evening was approaching, the sun was slowly descending behind the mountains, and a few rays of the sunset were still shining through the hallway window, sparkling like waving hands, as if celebrating the success of preserving the Vietnamese language of those living far away.

On the way back home, my heart was filled with boundless joy. The “Fun Quiz with Learning” program organized by Vietnamese Youth Oversea (Tuổi Trẻ Hải Ngoại), led by Thanh Loan’s team, was quite successful, thanks to strong support from the community, especially many Vietnamese parents. This is a very useful activity in preserving the Vietnamese language and culture. I want to introduce this youth program to the Vietnamese community in San Jose and the Vietnamese community across the United States and invite everyone to support it so that the program can continue to exist and grow.

Phương Hoa – Northern California, late September 2023.

The correction for the sentence could be:

* Vietnamese residents in the Bay Area refer to San Jose as “Thung Lũng Hoa Vàng, which translates to ‘Valley of the Golden Flower’.”

Note: “Thung Lũng Hoa Vàng” typically means “Valley of the Golden Flower,” not “City of Golden Flower.”