The Vietnamese Student Union (VSU) advocates for the educational, social, cultural, and political welfare through its diverse programming.

VSU seeks to increase awareness of the Vietnamese history and culture. Members express their artistic talents through events such as Culture Night, Tet Festival, and Cafe Am. These student productions allow members to discover their cultural identity, while making friends at the same time. Through the Black April Commemoration, which signifies the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, students learn about the struggles that their families have faced in their journeys to America. 

VSU’s role as a community service organization has evolved from a refugee supports program to include the broader community as well. The Higher Opportunity Program for Education (HOPE) serves at-risk students in Westminster High School in Orange County and Chinatown Library in Los Angeles.

VSU prioritizes academics, retention, and consciousness through the Southeast Asian Campus Learning Education and Retention project (SEA CLEAR) by offering academic support services, which address issues and struggles culturally relevant to the Vietnamese community.

VSU also encourages student activism to challenge issues that affect the Vietnamese American community, such as hate crimes, sweatshop labor, immigrant rights, and affirmative action. Only with a collective effort can we overcome such obstacles.

And VSU provides a family environment as a social supports network for members to excel in college, and to grow as individuals and student leaders. It is our hope that these relationships and experiences enrich your college life and extend past graduation.

Hello. My name is Daniel Pham, your President for this year. For those new to VSU, welcome to one of the largest and tightest-knit family at UCLA. I am sure you, like many other members and staff before you, will find the Vietnamese Student Union to be your home away from home. For those returning, I look forward to seeing your awesome faces again, and you will find that we are trying out many new and great things.

Many people have asked me in the last few weeks "so...what does VSU do?" The best way that I can answer that question is to ask you "what do YOU like to do?" You will come to find that VSU offers a wide range of services, projects, events, and activities that will for sure keep you preoccupied during your crazy years at UCLA.

For actors, painters, designers, singers, and talented performing arts people, there's our Vietnamese Culture Night, our talent show "Cafe Am", and numerous other events that require a creative eye. For those wanting to be involved in the community, there is HOPE, our project that aids at-risk high school students. For those that want to seek peer advice, counseling, or having an awesome mentor to talk to, join SEA CLEAR, another one of our projects. If you just want to have fun and socialize, our family heads will for sure offer great family outings to restaurants, theme parks, or just to hang out at their apartments. We throw large clubbing events throughout the year as well, and co-program with many organizations on campus.

To keep it short, if you want to make a difference in the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian community, join VSU. The first general meeting, along with what I just wrote, is purely the surface of all that we do. With a 30 year legacy of advocacy, community service, and network socializing, I sincerely hope that you find out more about how to be involved and join an ever growing family.

VSU:
Phone: (310) 794-9546
E-Mail: vsu@ucla.edu

Newsletter Mailing list:
Contact vsu.webhistorian@gmail.com to be added.