The Vietnamese Student Association, VSA, at Iowa State University recently held a fundraising event at 1+1 Restaurant & Tea in Ames, Iowa. This event has become a hallmark for the association’s members, who host it annually. From providing a space to enjoy Asian cuisine to fostering cross-cultural connections, VSA’s fundraiser isn’t only held to support its financial goals but also to emphasize the importance of cultural diversity in a community where it can often be difficult to find.
Anh Le, a junior studying graphic design and the current president of VSA, shared the inspiration behind this year’s event.
“We wanted to have everyone get together for the beginning of the semester to enjoy simple things like food and drinks,” Le said. “It was a good opportunity to introduce people to a good restaurant while also bringing everyone together.”
The choice of 1+1 Restaurant & Tea wasn’t a first for the VSA, either.
“We’ve supported other restaurants as well, but this is the one we go back to because everyone likes it, and we’ve built a connection with the owner,” Le said.
Hien Bui, a first-year graduate student in industrial and agricultural technology and VSA member, shared a similar perspective.
“Boba is a unifying drink amongst most Asian Americans, so it’s a nice place where everyone can meet up and socialize, especially since it’s in the middle of campus and everyone can meet up,” Bui said.
Like many other members, Bui found the association to be a welcoming space where he could connect with students of similar backgrounds.
“Going to a university like this can be intense sometimes because, if I don’t have a lot of Viet friends, it gets really difficult,” Bui said. “Having a community like VSA is important.”
An important theme for the event–and VSA as a whole–is fostering inclusivity. Le pointed out that despite the club’s focus on Vietnamese culture, it is open to everyone.
“In our constitution, it says that even if you’re not Vietnamese, you’re welcome to come and learn about our culture,” Le said.
“I always say that even though the title is Vietnamese Student Association, you don’t have to be Vietnamese to be here,” said Dong Nguyen, a sophomore in architecture and vice president of VSA, said.
“VSA is welcoming to everyone,” Bui said. “I try to always invite my friends that aren’t Vietnamese so they can learn about our culture. I think it’s very interesting, and everyone should learn about Vietnamese culture.”
The inclusivity of VSA’s events extends beyond the Vietnamese community. Sally Tran, a senior in management information systems and the association’s treasurer reflected on her journey with VSA.
“I didn’t have a community like this in high school, so I wanted to create that connection here at Iowa State,” Tran said.
VSA’s events often connect to significant Vietnamese cultural celebrations. Upcoming events will revolve around the Mid-Autumn Festival, a significant holiday in Vietnamese culture. From the very beginning, VSA has been intentional about balancing cultural education with opportunities for socializing.
For Le, these events are essential to cultivating a supportive community at Iowa State.
“We want people to feel welcomed and connected,” Le said. “It’s not about being a certain race or ethnicity. We encourage everyone to join and share in the fun.”
Through events like this, VSA not only raises funds but also creates a space for students of all backgrounds to learn about Vietnamese culture. As Iowa State’s VSA continues to grow, its impact on the community is undeniable.
For more information on the VSA, visit their website.
