ABOUT VSAUW
The Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW) is a Registered Student Organization. VSAUW is a cultural, social, and civically engaged organization. Since the 1980s, we've continue to cultivate relationships between students at the University of Washington and the greater Seattle Vietnamese community. We aim to do this by developing the next generation of leaders strive to help the Vietnamese community in Seattle move in a forward direction.
VSAUW host events that we believe showcases the Vietnamese heritage and culture, as well as supporting our sister VSAs at other college campuses. We strive to make an impact to our campus and city community by learning, educating, and taking action.
culture
VSAUW has many outlets to connect our members to the Vietnamese culture. Our biweekly meetings are highlight pieces of Vietnamese culture, and provides a safe space to speak about the privileges and oppression of our communities.
Every year, VSAUW has a cultural pageant, alternating between our male-comedic pageant “Pho King” and our female-cultural pageant “Hoa Khoi Lien Truong”. Each pageant has its own theme about the Asian-American experience that the contestants and audience can relate to.
Our dance team, M³ is currently in its fourth year. M³, Múa Mùa Mưa, is a Vietnamese play on word that translates to "dancing in the rainy season". Through dance, M³ aims to be a gateway for members to become more deeply involved with the ViThrough dance, M³ aims to be a gateway for members to become more deeply involved with the Vietnamese culture and with VSA, through dance. Dance transcends language and time and also with a mix of traditional dance in áo dài to modern hip-hop, M³ bridges the gap between Vietnamese’s past and present culture for our members.
Philanthropy
All year-long, VSAUW helps raise money through our Collective Philanthropy Project (CPP). Within the last 13 years, we have raised over $850,000, with an average of $65,000 a year! This year’s beneficiary is Messengers of Love, in which the money will be used to tend to educational needs of a number of underprivileged students in Vietnam. Our funds will provide physical, mental, emotional and educational support to the orphaned and under privileged children of Vietnam through programs and services such as: Scholarship for a Poor Child, Holiday Care Packages, English and Character class, Workforce Preparation and Training, Summer School, Safe Shelter and Clean Water programs.
Community
VSAUW connects with other campus organizations as well as the greater Seattle community The Vietnamese Student Association as a whole has branches within Washington, and expanding to the entire North American continent. Local communities we connect with are: Tết in Seattle, Helping Link, the Vietnamese Health Clinic, Hoa Mai Vietnamese Bilingual Preschool, the Vietnamese American Scholarship Foundation, and many more!
Family
VSAUW strives to bring members together by celebrating our vibrant Vietnamese culture. We accept members of all backgrounds and encourage one and all to come join us. Through our Anh Chi Em (ACE) Family Program, members are placed into families that create the home away from home. As family we learn to rely on one another, may that be socially, academically, or professionally. Don’t have an ACE family? No worries! Tell an officer, and we’ll give you your new home.
Achievements
Most Outstanding Educational Program (2019)
Most Money Donated to CPP in the Region (2019)
Most Outstanding Multimedia Production - Pho King (2018) & IAV Project (2018)
VSA of the Year (2018)
Outstanding Web Presence (2018)