Our story
Born from memory. Built for the future.
The VietAmerican Legacy Institute was founded to ensure that the sacrifices, stories, and spirit of Vietnamese American refugees are never forgotten — and always honored.
Our mission
"To preserve, educate, and advocate for the Vietnamese American refugee experience — honoring the past while empowering future generations to carry the legacy forward."
Memory
We hold the stories of those who fled, sacrificed, and rebuilt their lives as sacred truths that must be passed on.
Education
We believe that understanding history is the foundation of a just and informed community.
Advocacy
We stand for the recognition of the Vietnamese American refugee experience in civic, cultural, and political life.
Unity
We bring together generations, communities, and allies in a shared commitment to heritage and identity.
How we began
A community's call to remember
The VietAmerican Legacy Institute was founded in the heart of Little Saigon, Garden Grove, California — one of the largest Vietnamese American communities in the United States. It grew from a simple but urgent question: who will tell our story when those who lived it are gone?
Formed by a coalition of community elders, educators, and second-generation Vietnamese Americans, the Institute was established to bridge the gap between the generation that survived the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, and the generations born in freedom who must carry that legacy forward.
What began as informal gatherings and oral history projects has grown into a formal nonprofit dedicated to education, cultural preservation, civic engagement, and the enduring symbol of the Yellow Flag — the flag of the Republic of Vietnam and the Vietnamese American community.
Our journey
Milestones in our mission
The Fall of Saigon
April 30, 1975 — the day that changed everything. Hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese fled their homeland, beginning a diaspora that would reshape communities across America.
Community Takes Root
Vietnamese American communities established themselves across the United States, with Little Saigon in Southern California becoming a cultural and political center.
Second Generation Rises
The children of refugees came of age, carrying both the weight of their parents' sacrifices and the responsibility to preserve and share their heritage.
The Institute Is Founded
Community leaders, educators, and advocates formally established the VietAmerican Legacy Institute to create a lasting institutional home for Vietnamese American heritage.
Growing the Movement
The Institute expanded its programs, launched civic engagement initiatives, and deepened partnerships with schools, government, and cultural organizations.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
With a growing community of supporters, the Institute continues its work to educate, advocate, and preserve — ensuring the Vietnamese American story is never forgotten.
Join us in preserving the legacy
Whether you are a survivor, a descendant, an educator, or an ally — there is a place for you in this movement.