VSA’s 9th Annual Heart of Vietnam

Hello Everyone! We, the Vietnamese Student Association at the University of South Florida (USF), cordially invites you to the 9th Annual Heart of Vietnam. The Heart of Vietnam is our largest charity banquet of the year, and we are so excited to finally share this event with all of you. The 9th Annual Heart of Vietnam will take place on Sunday, October 9th at 6:00 pm.
So definitely come in your slickest attire (formal attire) with your friends, anh, chi, em, or even your family members for a memorable night filled with fun, performances, and of course, food.

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SO TELL ME MORE ABOUT THE HEART OF VIETNAM

Every year, the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) at USF holds a charity banquet in the Fall called the Heart of Vietnam. The Heart of Vietnam is presented by the Vietnamese Student Association, and it is one of USF’s largest events of the year. However, it is important to note that the Heart of Vietnam is also a time where we collaborate with the local Vietnamese community and countless organizations from across the state. Together, we are able to bring you the best night where we provide guests with endless cultural entertainment, extraordinary performances, and delicious Vietnamese food. It is also a night where we all make a difference in Vietnam, for your ticket purchase(s) and donations will go towards our annual philanthropy.
Each year, the the Union of North American Vietnamese Students of America (UNAVSA) chooses a charity that VSA’s from across the nation as well as Canada can donate to. This year, proceeds generated by The 9th Annual Heart of Vietnam will be donated to The Catalyst Foundation.
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WHAT IS THE CATALYST FOUNDATION?

We are thrilled to have The Catalyst Foundation as this year’s annual charity. The Catalyst Foundation’s main goal is to fight human trafficking by building communities in Vietnam. The children living in areas marked with extreme poverty are more likely to be trafficked. Therefore, the Catalyst Foundation supports the creation of communities that offer basic necessities, education, job opportunities, and counseling to those who live in impoverished areas of Vietnam. The Catalyst Foundation believes that through education and community development, we can fight human trafficking holistically. The Catalyst Foundation projects to build more communities in areas that are in desperate for help; therefore, any donations are highly appreciated. The Catalyst Foundation is in critical need for funding. Through your donations and ticket purchases, we can help more families and children sustain themselves through success and solidarity.
For more information, please visit The Catalyst Foundation website: http://www.catalystfoundation.org/

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THIS YEAR OUR THEME IS…

The theme for the 9th Annual Heart of Vietnam is Remembering our Roots. Knowing that most of us were either raised or born in the United States, retaining our Vietnamese culture can be very difficult. Growing up in America makes it so easy for anyone assimilate themselves to American culture; therefore, it is not uncommon to find many young Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) who struggle to accept their respective cultures. However, when these AAPI reconnect with their culture, it can be both a rewarding and empowering experience. We hope that this year’s Heart of Vietnam will help you to reconnect with your roots, help you embrace being the amazing Asian American you already are, or teach you all about the unique and beautiful Vietnamese culture.

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LET’S GET TO BUSINESS: HOW MUCH IS THE ENTRANCE FEE?

The entrance fee for this year’s Heart of Vietnam is $7 for regular admission and $12 for VIP admission. Those who purcahse VIP tickets will Those who purchase VIP tickets will have seatings closer to the performances and the stage as well as a wider variety of dinner choices. Proceeds from ticket sales will be directly donated to the Catalyst Foundation!

Ticket sales ARE ON SALE! We will notify everyone as to where tickets will be sold and when, so please pay attention to our annoucments!

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We will be making IMPORTANT, FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS in regards to the event, so please stay attentive for any new announcements. You definitely do not want to miss out on important details or exciting news!

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact any of our 2016-2017 VSA executive board members! You may also specifically contact this year’s Heart of Vietnam director, Tai Hailé at [email protected] as well as our president, Michael Nguyen at [email protected] .