A Reflection on the Thanksgiving Program by the “The Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans” in San Jose (11/9/2024)

By Phuong Hoa

This afternoon, the sky over the Valley of Flowers is a clear blue as the clouds have taken their leave.  The atmosphere around Yerba Buena High School is lively, with people coming and going. Gentle breezes seem to greet the guests, playfully lifting the flowing Vietnamese áo dài of many graceful women arriving from afar. The breeze also brings a sense of relief to the gentlemen accompanying their companions—dutifully carrying bags, holding umbrellas, or offering a steady hand to help navigate the uneven cement steps in the parking lot.

The campus is vast, with numerous buildings and facilities, but Minh Thúy, her companion, and I felt at ease wandering through this picturesque, clean, and open setting. Not knowing the way, we followed the “black-haired silhouettes” and eventually arrived at the right room, where the Thanksgiving event hosted by the Overseas Youth Group was being held.

The spacious hall had tables and chairs arranged quite far apart, creating an airy, open feel. This auditorium could easily accommodate several hundred people if the tables and chairs were placed closer together. However, likely due to COVID precautions, the seating was spread out, giving the impression of a scattered arrangement. The organizing team was fully present, bustling about to set up the stage and decorate the venue. Thanh Loan, Thầy Thái Phạm, Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng, and the President of Văn Thơ Lạc Việt, the well-known “life of the party” Air Force veteran Lê Văn Hải, were each diligently immersed in their tasks. Minh Thúy and I exchanged glances, silently reassured by Lê Văn Hải’s presence—a sure sign of success for any event.

To our Văn Thơ Lạc Việt group, we affectionately refer to him as “Mr. Genie,” “Mr. Angel,” or “Santa Claus” because of his boundless dedication to the community. Wherever Hải is present, the atmosphere is lively, filled with joy, food, gifts, and lucky red envelopes.

After the flag ceremonies for the United States and the Republic of Vietnam, Thanh Loan, the head of the organizing committee, introduced Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng and Lê Văn Hải, who each gave a brief welcome to the audience. With that, the festivities officially began.

The group’s rendition of the song “Ơn Nghĩa Sinh Thành” was vibrant and uplifting. Five singers—Bảo Trân, Quỳnh Hương, Anh Thơ, Thúy Ân, and Thúy Vi—dressed in bright pink áo dài adorned with large rose motifs on the front, lit up the stage, outshining even the spotlights. Around me, I heard murmurs of admiration: “So beautiful, so amazing!”

Nhóm Tuổi Trẻ hợp ca Ơn Nghĩa Sinh Thành.

The instrumental medley performed by Tiếng Vọng Quê Hương Ensemble, under the direction of Professor Ngọc Dung, was an extraordinary highlight. Featuring the traditional melodies Lý Chim Quyên, Lý Cây Bông, Trống Cơm, and Đèn Cù, the performance captivated the audience.

The legendary đàn tranh zithers tilted gracefully as if striking a pose; the performers adorned in traditional Vietnamese áo dài and khăn đóng attire; their delicate, fluid hand movements; the dignified seated postures; and the soft, lilting notes that resonated like poetry, lingering in the midst of a dreamy night—all of it stirred the soul profoundly.

The atmosphere in the hall became serene; even the children’s playful chatter quieted. Time seemed to pause. Then, the hall erupted with enthusiastic applause, breaking the spell. As I joined in clapping, a thought crossed my mind—if Văn Thơ Lạc Việt ever hosts another event, we must persuade Lê Văn Hải to find a way to invite this ensemble to perform for everyone’s enjoyment.

Đàn Tranh của đoàn Tiếng Vọng Quê Hương – Minh Thúy, Thanh Loan, Phương Hoa

Next was the group performance of “Ghé Vào Tai” by the adorable Five Purple Sisters.

This group of five sisters has been my “idol” since the first Vietnamese Language Competition organized by the “Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans” in 2022. I am delighted to see how their performance style has become increasingly refined.

I recall the eldest sister, Katelynn, once competing in singing and talent contests in San Jose, where she won the championship. Since then, the community has cherished her younger sisters—Kassie, Katie, Kasslynn, and the youngest, Kayleen. They are often invited to sing at various charitable events, including fundraisers to build temples and churches in the Bay Area, benefit concerts for children with cleft lips, fundraisers for homeless students, and efforts to support hungry children worldwide.

I deeply admire and respect Hải and Phương, the young couple dedicated to the community. They care for their children attentively, encouraging their talents and prioritizing the preservation of the beloved Vietnamese language.

Before going on stage, the children recognized me and rushed over, pulling their parents along to take pictures with me and Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng. I was incredibly touched.

Words cannot fully capture the essence of the event. Every performance in the program had its charm and uniqueness. The continuous applause spoke volumes about the children’s success and the dedication of their parents and teachers, who worked hard to nurture their talents.

Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Dũng was sitting with us when someone suddenly called him away for urgent business. Fortunately, as he stepped outside, he happened to run into Maria Phạm, the well-known Director of Viet Century Media in the San Jose area. He asked Maria to take his place as a judge, which gave me the lucky opportunity to chat with her.

When I expressed my hope that the community could help promote this program more widely, Maria agreed that it was an excellent program and said she would help spread the word whenever possible.

When Lê Văn Hải presented the parents with Certificates of Recognition, Vi Diệu, speaking on behalf of everyone, expressed gratitude to the organizing team, Lê Văn Hải, Thanh Loan, and Thái Phạm, for their dedication and hard work in making this event possible for the children. Vi Diệu encouraged everyone to lend a helping hand to ensure the continuation of this program.

Noticing a parent sitting nearby, intently watching the stage and snapping photos non-stop as the children performed “Mẹ Ơi Có Biết,” I asked, “Is your child or grandchild performing? Which one is it?”

She turned to me with a proud smile and said, “It’s my two granddaughters! They’re the ones in the yellow áo dài!”

She was Thúy Vi, a parent who had earlier delivered an enthusiastic speech filled with heartfelt support for the Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans. From the opening ceremony until now, everyone I encountered shared the same supportive sentiment toward the organizers—it was clear they had earned the parents’ approval.

“Wow! A grandmother?” I exclaimed sincerely. “How is it possible for ‘Grandma Thúy Vi’ to look so young!”

“This program is excellent,” she said. “It gives the kids a chance to learn and communicate in Vietnamese. Over here, being fluent in Vietnamese can help them succeed. I have a nephew who’s bilingual in Vietnamese and English, and he landed a Manager position right after graduating.”

Thúy Vi called the two girls over to take a picture with us as the performance ended. Holding one of the little ones in my arms, I felt a sudden wave of emotion and hope. If only all Vietnamese parents overseas shared the same love for the Vietnamese language and culture as this remarkable “grandmother,” there would be no fear of losing touch with our roots.

The program featured many well-rehearsed and beautifully choreographed performances, each outstanding from beginning to end. Highlights included Liên Khúc Trống Cơm and Nàng Thơ Xứ Huế, performed brilliantly by Anh Thơ and Quỳnh Hương, as well as a parent-child musical skit Cầu Cho Cha Mẹ by chị Thơ. This act pleasantly surprised the audience with its flawless execution and touching connection between parents and young performers of all ages.

Famous singer Thanh Hang shared her strong support. She praised the organizers and the children’s performances and even promised to sponsor in any way possible. Thanh Hang’s rendition of “Dear Mother” was so moving and sweet that it deeply touched someone like me who has lost their mother. The dance drama, “Praying for Parents,” performed by the young artists of Sao Mai Kindergarten, was skillful and synchronized, showing the careful training by parents and teachers.

The Young Vietnamese Trio performed a medley of “The Spinning Top” and “Rice Drum” beautifully, consisting of Bao Tran, Thuy An, and Thuy Vi. The children’s comedy skit “Thank You, Life” made the audience laugh and admire, with charming dialogue between rural Vietnamese and Vietnamese-American children visiting their homeland. People were delighted that the children in America spoke Vietnamese so fluently, teasing each other. It was a precious script.

Most notable was the International Fashion Show. Artists representing countries like the USA, India, France, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, China, and three regions of Vietnam were very professional. They wore costumes representing their countries and performed traditional dances, giving the audience an exciting visual treat. Due to judging requirements and article length limitations, I could only record what I could, with many acts not included here, and the order might not be accurate. I hope the artists and children understand.

This term’s Fun Quiz had Team A, “Oh, Why Don’t You Shake,” and Team B “Shaky.” This time, due to the different stage sizes, the children had to stand while competing, unlike the previous time I judged in 2022 when they sat at tables. But the program was no less exciting. The questions this time were more demanding than before, with the theme “Learn Manners First, Then Knowledge” requiring more thought than just choosing A, B, or C, perhaps because the children’s Vietnamese proficiency had improved. However, this didn’t pose any difficulty for the kids.

At first, team A quickly buzzed in, and when the buzzer malfunctioned, they raised their hands to answer. Team A won 2-0 in the first two questions. But then team B took the lead thanks to the intelligent boy Patton Ngo. He quickly raised his hand and answered questions accurately and impressively, earning thunderous applause from the audience. Some judges hadn’t even finished reading the questions before he answered! It was so delightful! We learned that the mother of this intelligent boy is Hien Tran, a very young mother. I asked Hien admiringly if she sent Patton to Vietnamese language classes because his Vietnamese was so good. Hien smiled and replied, “All the children competing here study at Vietnamese language schools.” Ah, I see. So, the “credit” goes to the teachers at the Vietnamese language schools, which is truly significant.

I also spoke with Nhung, the mother of Jallen, the minor child in the dance group wearing a yellow ao dai and holding a red scarf in the center of the picture above, one of three children in yellow ao dai. Nhung said this program helps her child have fun activities. This is the first year she’s allowed her child to participate, but the child enjoys it so much that they will continue. The smallest in the choir, but her little bird mouth sang boldly, which was incredibly endearing to watch. Additionally, singers Hoang Kim, Hieu Hanh, Kim Phung, and many other artists I didn’t have time to ask their names came to participate in the program. The song “Path to the Small Village,” a famous song from the time of South Vietnam, evoked a world of nostalgia for listeners.

In summary, The Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans’ Thanksgiving celebration was successful. I took photos and videos around the hall while watching the performance and waiting for the children’s Fun Quiz competition. A quick survey suggests there were probably over 150 guests attending, including the artists and audience members who came in from outside.

“That’s already very good, sister,” Thanh Loan told me when she saw some guests leaving late afternoon. “Because we started late, only a few years ago, we and the children need the community’s help, and we need more promotion for people to know and participate.” I agreed with Thanh Loan, so I quickly added a few lines calling for community support to the “Instant Noodle” poem I had just written while waiting to judge. And Thanh Loan went up to read this poem as a gift to the parents and everyone.

Celebrating the Program’s Success

REJOICE in the program’s great success

Praise the Organizing Committee for their loving hearts

Preserving our homeland’s Vietnamese tongue

The entire Arts Team, a fragrant garden of flowers *

The Vietnamese Language contest, a pearl of beauty

Teachers and students radiant, smooth as spring’s hue

Many questions, infinitely exquisite

Spectacular responses, echoing far and wide *

THANKS to those with hearts of gold

Sponsors overflowing with kindness

Precious are the parents’ deep grace

Laboring to teach and nurture their young sprouts *

Our Ancestors rejoice to see we still

Preserve the culture of the Lac Hong nation

These verses sent from the depths of our hearts

May this special program continue long *

Oh Community! Lend a helping hand!

Young generation, advance day by day!

Phuong Hoa – NOV 9, 2024

***

In the evening, Minh Thuy also posted a truly beautiful and comprehensive poem on Van Tho Lac Viet to celebrate with the program’s Organizing Committee:

Overseas Youth

Overseas Vietnamese Preserve Their Culture

Upholding traditions with powerful songs

The Đàn Tranh’s “Echoes of Homeland” beautiful

Youth maintain their mother tongue *

Fun lottery with many prizes

Fun Quiz for learning, deep discussions

Sowing seeds of education and gratitude

Bowing heads with respectful “yes, sir” *

Mentors draft joyful plays

International fashion shows performed well

More ethnic dances added

Arts and judging, all to enjoy *

Admiring hearts full of passion

Hung Tam, Thai Pham, and Thanh Loan

Along with Hong Dung, Le Van Hai

Together they achieve perfection *

Overseas united in youth education

Nurturing future pillars of the Fatherland

Parents join forces to build

A bright future, rich in accomplishments *

Thanksgiving Day approaches swiftly

Joyfully feasting on completion

Honored to join the youth

A beautiful organization with good intentions *

Minh Thúy Thành Nội – Tháng 11/9/2024

Most importantly, almost everyone present today praised and expressed great appreciation for the Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans program. Parents and audience members expressed their desire to continue attending for a long time. Therefore, there is much hope that this program will further develop. Before leaving, I asked Thanh Loan if she wanted to convey anything to the Vietnamese community.

“Thank you very much for this question,” Thanh Loan said. Thanh Loan and the Organizing Committee wish to have a summer activity next year, 2025, for the children with fun performances, mainly to introduce young people and community friends to the beautiful cultural aspects of our Vietnamese people. We hope for the sponsorship and support of everyone in our community.”

This is an excellent idea. It’s touching to see a young person like Thanh Loan willing to put in effort and devote all her passion to caring for the next generation of overseas Vietnamese. Besides Thanh Loan, the “wise people” of the San Jose area, such as Mr. Le Van Hai, Teacher Thai Pham, and Mr. Hung Tam, Principal of TTL College (successor to Khai Tri Bookstore), have wholeheartedly sponsored this program. “One hand cannot clap,” so I sincerely thank all of you.

I respectfully hope that our Vietnamese community, not just in the Golden Valley area, but everywhere, including Vietnamese communities in other countries, will join hands to support, help, and contribute ideas to make this beneficial the Young Generation of Vietnamese Americans program sustainable and continue to progress far.

I hope for this very much!

Phương Hoa – Miền Bắc California – tháng 11/2024