Promoting Vietnamese culture in the US capital

Impressed by the effect of the annual cherry blossom festival in Washington DC, the US capital, with thousands of cherry trees donated by Japan since 1912, Vietnamese-American businesswoman Erin Phuong Steinhauer decided to do something to bridge the culture between Vietnam and her second homeland.

"Cherry blossoms, Zen, and anime fill the Capitol Hill area every spring, and festivals are always crowded. When we see Asia in this country, we often see China, Japan, India, and Korea. Those are great cultures, but Vietnamese culture is just as great," she shared about the inspiration that led her and her husband, Peter Steinhauer, to found the Vietnam Society.

Ms. Phuong before the 2nd Vietnam Week event

Change perspective

In Washington DC, Vietnam Society successfully organized the second Vietnam Week event in 2023, after the 2022 event created a great buzz in the Vietnamese community as well as other communities in the US.

The second event, held in late September, also aims to honor Vietnamese culture and arts with film screenings, book discussions, Vietnamese cuisine and other activities. Half of the Eastern Market on Capitol Hill is used to introduce Vietnamese cuisine. The second Vietnam Week takes place in the fall and Vietnam Society also brings the atmosphere of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival with many activities such as carrying star lanterns, carp lanterns and enjoying moon cakes.

Vietnamese Coffee Prepared for Vietnam Week in the US

According to chef Kevin Tien at the Vietnamese restaurant Moon Rabbit in Washington DC, when many Americans talk about Vietnam, one of the first things they think of is war. Therefore, the above events are an opportunity to change the American perspective on Vietnam.

Cultural Introduction

In that spirit, Chef Tien and Ms. Phuong are among many Vietnamese people who want people to have a better look at Vietnam, through culture. At Moon Rabbit restaurant, Mr. Tien introduces pandan rice, Vietnamese coffee, and the way his grandmother makes braised fish in a clay pot. That is what he wants to convey, so that people in America can better understand his homeland. Similarly, Ms. Phuong also wants Americans to understand more about Vietnam's rich culture, not just the impressions of conical hats, rice fields, and the consequences of war.

Ms. Phuong is a descendant of the famous Pham Phu Thu, a Nguyen Dynasty official who made many contributions to the land reclamation process and especially to diplomatic relations with the West in the 19th century. She said the guiding principle of the Vietnam Society, established in early 2021, is to enhance cultural understanding between Vietnam and the United States.

"We believe that this effort will further enhance Americans' understanding of Vietnam, changing the mindset of Vietnam from only mentioning the war to Vietnam as a country with 4,000 years of history. What we do will also help millions of Vietnamese living in the United States have the opportunity to connect and bond with their heritage and cultural roots," according to the organization's founders.

Specifically, Vietnam Society focuses on promoting Vietnam's centuries-old traditions as well as presenting a fresh and colorful image of Vietnam, focusing on the fields of art, film, literature and cuisine. "We connect communities by bringing together people who share an appreciation for Vietnam to enjoy the country's long-standing traditions and contemporary artistic direction. We also connect communities of art enthusiasts with each other and with international audiences," according to Vietnam Society.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/quang-ba-van-hoa-viet-nam-giua-thu-do-my-185240123190620642.htm