Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association

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GSVA Newsletters

 

The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association
UPDATE
Issue January / February 2001

CHUC MUNG NAM MOI … HAPPY NEW YEAR

Vietnamese around the world will celebrate The Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival, or Tet Nguyen Dan, during the fourth week of January 2001. The first day on the lunar calendar of the Year of the Snake will be on Wednesday, January 24th, 2001. Known as Tet, this is the most important holiday of the year for Vietnamese.

The Vietnamese Tet is an occasion for people to celebrate family, love and peace. Preparation for Tet begins weeks before the first day of the new year. One must get rid of the old and start with the new: houses are painted and cleaned, debts are paid off, family and friends show forgiveness for each other, and market and shops are open day and night to accommodate shoppers.

One of the Tet symbols is a yellow blossom flower (with up to 8 petals) called Hoa Mai, which represents prosperity and health in the coming year. As the family-oriented seven-day celebration carries into the week, it is time for family reunions, exchanging gifts and wishes. Families visit church or temple to pray for prosperity, good health and happiness. Joss sticks (incense) are lit on family altars and offering of food, drinks, and flowers are made in remembrance of late relatives and ancestors.

For children, the most cheerful and exciting time is the tradition of ‘Mung Tuoi’ or New Year Congratulation. Younger family members offer gifts of wine, fruit, and cake to elders with wishes of good health, longevity, and happiness. In turn, children receive congratulation gifts called ‘Li Xi’, which is money inside of a small red envelope with wishes of good behavior, good study and growth.

On New Year’s Day, the Vietnamese people are very careful about their activities. Everyone will wear the newest clothes and shoes, families exchange visits. The first visitor(s) to one’s home on New Year’s Day is most important and is often arranged in advance to assure that prosperity and wealth are represented. Everything and everyone you are in touch with on the first day of the year must symbolize good fortune.

From our families to yours, ‘CHUC MUNG NAM MOI’, the Year of the Snake, our best wishes to you for good health and prosperity.

 

NOTE: Our Congratulations to the Organizing Committee of ‘Tet in Seattle’ for the ’25 Years in Retrospect’ festival at the Seattle Center on January 20 & 21, 2001celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival. Information on this organization is available at www.tetinseattle.org.

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LOOKING IN

 

 

 

The 45th Asia-Pacific Film Festival where some 17 international delegations, and over 460 film makers and directors from the Asia-Pacific region took part to the Asia-Pacific Film Festival organized for the first time in Ha Noi in December 2000. Eleven Vietnamese films took part in the event.

The year was a particularly productive year for Viet Nam Cinema, which took several international awards and prizes. After the success of "Cuoc Xe Dem" (Night Cyclo), a short movie by director Bui Thac Chuyen at the Cannes Festival, director Nguyen Thanh Van’s "Doi Cat" (Sandy Life) in turn won a special prize at the International Amiens Film Festival in France. At the Asia-Pacific Film Festival in Ha Noi, "Doi Cat" won prizes for best feature film, best actress (Mai Hoa) and best supporting actress (Hong Anh). The film "Chi Nam Khung" (Ms Nam) by director Lai Van Sinh also won an award for best short film at the festival.

 

 

CALENDAR of EVENTS

For more information on any of the above events, contact us at (206) 322-1178 or info@seattlevietnam.org.

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CELEBRATE VIET NAM

The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association

Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner Auction

Wish you were there. If you missed our recent Fourth Annual Benefit Dinner & Auction, you missed out the opportunity to experience the culture and ambience of Viet Nam without leaving Seattle.

The Bell Harbor International Conference Center banquet hall was magically transformed into a setting of a typical small village somewhere in Viet Nam. The professional work by the crew from the BambooHardwoods in less than two hours filled the banquet hall will furniture and decorations made with bamboo from Viet Nam.

Once again, a capacity crowd of friends, supporters, and special guests joined us at our important major event of the year. The theme of the evening ‘CELEBRATE VIET NAM’ was selected by the organizing committee to reflect the positive present relationship between the United States and Viet Nam. The year marked the 25th anniversary of the ending of the war in Viet Nam and the beginning of the rebuilding of Viet Nam. Some of the year highlights were the return to Viet Nam by Senator John McCain, and the ‘tours of Viet Nam’ made by Secretary of State Albright, Secretary of Defense Cohen and U.S President Bill Clinton.

Our guests were treated to a display of Viet Nam artworks, traditional wears and decorations, and children activities. The event sponsor was the Boeing Company, joining our Corporate Sponsors KING5 Television, Northwest International Bank, and Clear Path International.

Also on display were Viet Nam projects by GSVA that were funded by contributions at our previous events: ‘A Child’s Dream’ and ‘The Children’s Angel’.

Our honoree for this year was Mimi Gan from KING5 Television. Mimi has been a great friend and supporter of our association, and she served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for our previous two annual gala events. In October 1999, Mimi Gan traveled to Viet Nam with Photographer Tom Voelk and Evening Magazine host John Curley to produce two KING5-TV special programs: "Vietnam Revealed" and "Vietnam: 25 Years of Healing". These two programs brought to viewers throughout the Pacific Northwest the real images of Viet Nam through the people and the beauty of the country and culture, instead of Viet Nam the war as perceived by still many Americans. Also featured in these programs were the numerous charity and nonprofit organizations based in the Greater Seattle area and work in Viet Nam, including the Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association.

Both of these special documentary television programs created a better understanding and strengthened the current relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Viet Nam. For her outstanding works, Mimi Gan received the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards for Best Reporter of the non-news category. And the KING5-TV crew of Mimi Gan, Tom Voelk and Lynn Hyde received the award for Best Cultural Affairs Special.

The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association Board President Son Michael Pham presented Mimi Gan the GSVA 2000 Annual Special Award. Joining Mimi at the event were her two daughters Chloe and Grace as well as many of her television colleagues.

Funds raised on this evening from the silent auction and the raffle ticket sale will go toward new 2001 projects in Viet Nam.

The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association wishes to THANK our event sponsors and volunteers. Their effort, time and contributions made this annual event possible. Their generosity and caring spirit are greatly appreciated.

 

The Boeing Company

Clear Path International
KING5 Television
Northwest International Bank

Almatech Resource Institute
Asia Travel
Asiana Airlines
Bamboohardwoods
Bell Harbor Intl Conference Center
Cathay Pacific Airlines
Clear Path International
Directsource Global Purchasing
Drugstore.com
Innovations in Green Unlimited, Inc.
Jade King Wholesalre SE Asia Food & Food Products
Mimi’s Bakery
Minh Tri Fashion & Jewelers
Thai Airways

Volunteers from Directsource.com
Al Davignon and K2
Alma Kern
Artist Lee Lee
Sindy Nguyen
Van Lang Vietnamese Cultural Assn
Saigon Bistro Restaurant
Vietnamese Catholic Community Church of Seattle, Washington
Beth Whitman

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The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association

Hereby Recognizes and Honors

MIMI GAN
KING5 Television Seattle

In appreciation of significant contribution for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of Viet Nam and the United States of America.

November 15, 2000
Seattle, Washington USA

 

 

 

MIMI GAN
Reporter/Producer
KING5 Television

Mimi Gan is a reporter for KING5’s "Evening Magazine", and co-host and co-creator of "Watch This!" KING5’s fastpaced weekly show for teens and children. Mimi is also a science reporter for the Discovery Channel’s "Beyond 2000" show.

"Watch This!" was recently named the nation’s best local youth program by both the National Association of Television Programming Executives. And Mimi has received four Emmy Awards and an IRIS Award for her work on "Evening Magazine".

Prior to joining KING5 in November 1988, Mimi was a national field producer for the "PM Magazine" National Office in San Francisco. She has held positions as public affairs host at KNBR/NBC Radio, San Francisco and as a public information officer of the Los Angeles Olympics Organizing Committee.

Mimi is quite active in the community, and volunteers her time to organizations such as the Asian American Journalists Association (and served as President in 1992), the "I Have A Dream Foundation" as a tutor, the Seattle Group Theater, Mothers Against Violence (as a trustee), and the Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association.

Mimi resides in Seattle with her husband, Everett, and daughters Grace, and Chloe.

 

~ ~ ~

THANK YOU … CAM ON

Son Michael Pham

 

 

If you wish to learn more about any of the businesses that supported our association, please contact us at (206) 322-1178 or via email info@seattlevietnam.org.

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CLEARING THE WAY FOR A BETTER FUTURE

By Imbert Matthee

While in Vietnam last year (2000), President Clinton stepped out of the diplomatic spotlight in Hanoi to shake hands with some of the latest and youngest victims of the war in Vietnam. He met with a group of children who have been injured during the past several years by landmines or unexploded ordnance in Quang Tri Province near the former DMZ.

Just before leaving office, Clinton drew attention to an important issue. More than a quarter century after the war ended, millions of remaining pieces of lethal ordnance continue to kill or maim innocent children all over Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

We formed Clear Path International to help end this needless suffering and we are grateful the Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association has agreed to accommodate our work as one of its projects. Aside from feeling drawn to the association’s humanitarian spirit, it will be personally exciting to work with Son, Gary, Jim and others whom most of us have known for years. Our goal is to sponsor the removal of deadly ordnance and to assist survivors of accidental explosions, particularly children.

But before saying more about our activities, here’s an introduction to our team. James and Martha Hathaway founded Clear Path International in September. They have both had a passion for Vietnam for some time. Martha, former program affairs assistant for the Japan-America Society of Washington State, was Executive Director of PeaceTrees Vietnam and James helped the organization as a volunteer and board member. They were instrumental in getting support from major donors to do ordnance clearance projects in Dong Ha, Quang Tri Province. At Clear Path International, Martha serves as Vietnam Project Director and James, a technical support specialist for ByteStudio, Inc., on Bainbridge Island, is Development Chair. Kristen Leadem joined us in December after a year as In-country Representative for PeaceTrees Vietnam. A former pre-Kindergarten and English conversation teacher, who has done humanitarian work in Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam, Kristen has a special interest and ability to work with the injured children, some of whom she escorted to Hanoi for the President’s visit. She returns to Vietnam in February as Clear Path International’s In-country Representative.

Karen and Imbert Matthee joined Clear Path International shortly after it was launched. Imbert, former Pacific Rim Correspondent for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and spokesman for the Port of Seattle, was Managing Director for PeaceTrees Vietnam during much of 2000. He will be Executive Director for Clear Path International. Karen, regional editor for Northwest Parent Publishing, will support the organization as volunteer Special Events Coordinator.

UXB International is Clear Path International’s technical contractor. Based in Ashburn, Virginia, UXB International conducts and supports clearance operations all over the world, including Southeast Asia. UXB International, which has an impeccable safety record, will train, equip and technically supervise the in-country clearance teams for Clear Path International.

Preparations for Clear Path International’s first clearance effort are already underway in Dong Ha, where we are sponsoring the removal of unexploded ordnance on 125 acres of land on a former U.S. combat base. This area has been the site of several accidents involving young children. Clear Path International, which coordinates closely with the Quang Tri Foreign Relations Department, has received special funding from the Freeman Foundation in Stowe, Vermont, to conduct this 19-month project. Once cleared, local authorities plan to build much-needed housing on the land.

Our first medical support work will come in the form of a comprehensive victim assistance effort in coordination with the Quang Tri Committee for the Protection and Care of Children. Supported in part by a grant from the Francis Finlay Foundation in New York, the program will include emergency medical care, hospitalization, surgery, nutritional support and special scholarships for accident survivors.

Our long-term goal -- with support from individual donors, foundations and grant makers -- is to expand our clearance and victim assistance work in Vietnam and do similar work in Cambodia. Working side by side with other Seattle-area NGOs, such as KidsFirst and PeaceTrees Vietnam, we hope our efforts will bring the war that ended for most Americans 25 years ago to a close for the children in Vietnam and Cambodia.

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FROM: HOANG VAN THONG
Vice-Chairman the Committee for Protection and Care for Children of Quang Tri Province

Dong Ha, 15 January, 2001

Dear Ms. Martha Hathaway.
How are you and your family? I hope that every one is well.
I am so sad to let you know that on 12 January 2001, at Gio An Primary School - Gio An commune, Gio Linh district - were happened an UXO accident which seriously affected 7 children. All of them are pupils and have the ages of below 14 years old. The accident happened when they were studying at school - one of them saw a strange thing but he did not realise that it was a mine, he throw it and the accident happen. Now all of them are at Provincial Hospital- one is laying unconscious; one is affected on skull, one is affected on belly who is operating, four others children are badly affected on bodies, arms and legs.
As you see the lunar New Year is coming and their families are very poor, but due to this situation, they have to spend much money on treating. If C.P.I. (Clear Path International) wants to share with their unfortunate thing, please contact to me.
Every thing I want to express is the dangerous of remain UXO in Quang Tri province.
Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely, Hoang Van Thong

For more information about Clear Path International, visit the web at www.clearpathinternational.org, or contact us via email at info@clearpathinternational.org, phone 206-780-5964. Our address is 920 Grow Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.

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DESTINATION VIET NAM

Have a Viet Nam travel story or experience that you would like to share? Please send it to us. Below are my own personal travel stories, experiences and recommendations.

Son Michael Pham

 

REX HOTEL

KHACH SAN BEN THANH

Address: 141 Nguyen Hue Boulevard, District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: 829-2185, email rexhotel@hcm.vnn.vn.

Back in 1912 during the French time, the Rex Hotel was a two-story garage located in the heart of the commercial center of Saigon. Then was it known as the Bainier Garage. Between 1959 and April 1975, Mr. & Mrs. Ung Thi, a Vietnamese couple purchased and renovated it into a six-story building with 100 guestrooms and renamed it as the Rex Trading Center. At that time, the U.S Information Services rented much of the premises for office and residential use. The remaining space housed three cinemas, a cafeteria, a dance hall and a library.

After the fall of Saigon, the hotel became a property of Saigontourist Ho Chi Minh City. The hotel was renamed as the Ben Thanh Hotel until 1986 when it was officially named as the Rex Hotel. In 1991, the Rex Hotel acquired the adjacent Sunflower Hotel and expanded into a 230-room hotel.

There is nothing subtle about the Rex Hotel. The atmosphere and ambience of the late 60s, when the American officers lived and worked in the hotel, has been preserved even after numerous renovation.

Even if you are not staying at the hotel, check out the Grand Lobby, the Rose Garden and the Rooftop Garden Lounge (known as the Five O’Clock Follies during the war).

 

HOI AN ROYAL DINING

Address: 11 Le Thanh Ton, District 1 – Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: 823-7694.

Recently opened, discover the finest in he Imperial Cuisine from Hue and the traditional dishes from all different regions of Viet Nam. Great menu.

 

HANOI
December 2, 2000
Dear Mr. Pham Son
Sailing clouds above musical smoke
The departing summer with falling fog
Villages and hamlets real image of poetry
Thinking about what country?
Welcome back to Vietnam and the Hilton Hanoi Opera!

Wilbo Wilmink, General Manager

* Note in my room after I checked in at the Hilton Hanoi Opera.

 

BUSINESS VIETNAMESE

Available at: Nam Phuong Bookstore – 1032B South Jackson St. in Seattle.

Great to travel with, especially for business. Over 850 basic English – Vietnamese Business terms. Pocket size edition by Francis M. Albin from the Paper Tiger Press.

 

HOMESICK!

Saigon Saigon Bar on the rooftop of the Caravelle Hotel

Address: 19 Lam Son Square, District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City. Tel: 823-4999.

From 8pm on every nights, listen to the live music … everything from the Beattles to Britney Spears. Great view of the city from inside or out on the terrace. Currently playing and for the next few months, the Sox Band (from the Philippines).

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FOOD CORNER

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN SALAD GOI GA

Serves: 6
Work Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Dressing

Salad

1. Combine dressing ingredients; set aside. Pour boiling water over noodles just to cover; set aside for 15 minutes.

2. Drain noodles well and place in large bowl. Add remaining salad ingredients and dressing; toss.

Per serving: 295 calories (27% from fat); 9 g fat.

 

BITTER MELON & SHRIMP SOUP CANH MUOP DANG NAU TOM

To prepare the soup, melon is cut into slices and cooked with dried or fresh shrimp. Served with steamed white rice. Some people dislike the taste of bitter melon, comparing it to medicine. It is in fact reputed to have tonic properties. Believers claim that regular consumption of this dish combats obesity and heart disease.

Send us your favorite Vietnamese dish recipe for the next issue.

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The City of Seattle
and
The American Cultural Exchange
Present
Seattle’s Sister Cities Award for

BEST OVERALL PROGRAM 2000

to the
Seattle-Haiphong Sister City Association
(Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association)

for its members’ outstanding contribution in promoting understanding, friendship and goodwill with Haiphong, Vietnam November 13, 2000

On November 13, 2000, the Seattle’s Sister Cities 5th Annual Reception was held at the Bullitt Cabaret in the ACT Theater. Joining Mayor Paul Schell and the Seattle City Council, were the American Cultural Exchange, the Ethnic Heritage Council, the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle, and the Washington Council on International Trade. GSVA Board President Son Michael Pham was presented the "Best Overall Program 2000" award, selected from the 21 Sister City Associations.

Our CONGRATULATIONS are extended to the 2000 Board of Directors, Advisory Council members, past Presidents Gary Johnson and Jim Kern, and all of our members and supporters.

 

In November, GSVA contributed to the National Adoption Month by sponsoring an informative program about adoption from Viet Nam. A panel of four speakers, all of them GSVA members as well as adoptive parents, informed the audience about adoption topics specific to adopting from VN. The audience consisted of Seattle area families, some just beginning to think about adoption and some already in the process of adopting.

Cathy Gentino described her recent adoption of Annie, her daughter from VN and her perspective as a single parent. Dave Ptasnik of Americans Adopting Orphans agency, educated everyone about the paperwork process, the timeline of adoptions and the specific details involved in adopting from VN.

Betty Tisdale related the history of Vietnamese adoptions with her story of adopting her own children from VN during the 1970’s and helping with the Orphan Airlift in 1975. Betty was also able to give insight into issues that the now adult adoptees from VN have recently discussed with her during reunions.

Lea Ann Kaplan informed the audience about resources for parents adopting from VN including support groups, books and websites. The resource list can be found at http://kaplanfamily.net/resources.htm. She also presented information about the support group specifically for families adopting from VN, which she started organizing two years ago after adopting her son from VN.

This adoption information program provided a unique opportunity for families to gather information, independent of any one agency’s specific program. The knowledgeable speakers represented a variety of experiences. GSVA truly contributed to the community with this event. Many thanks to Teri Conti and Gary Johnson for organizing the event

Lea Ann Kaplan

 

Ambassador Douglas "Pete" Peterson has accepted an offer by the incoming Bush administration to continue as the US Ambassador to Viet Nam. Peterson, who served 6 ½ years as a POW during the Vietnam War, was appointed as the first post-war ambassador to Viet Nam by President Clinton in 1997. The ambassador has played an instrumental role in the forging of a positive relationship between the US and Viet Nam and has become a symbol of the healing process. He has also figured prominently in the crafting of a bilateral trade agreement, which will open up the state controlled Vietnamese economy in exchange for improved access to US markets. The agreement is expected to be approved by both countries this year.

Ambassador Peterson has also been a great friend and supporter of the work of GSVA and we are thrilled that he will continue in his important work as ambassador.

Gary Johnson

 

If you are traveling to Viet Nam in the near future, would you like to make a visit to an orphanage? The Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association and HALO (Helping And Loving Orphans) are supporting a number of orphanages in Viet Nam. Just let us know and we will provide you with location and contact of the orphanage in the area that you are traveling to.

Each person can bring along an extra suitcase. You can pack it with candies, small toys, school supplies (crayons, pens, erasers, blank notebooks), toothpaste and toothbrushes, soaps and hair shampoo, first aid kits and supplies.

Just imagine this: you will be surrounded with children from all different ages, smiling and tugging at you for your attention. For this little moment in their lives, you have just brought them some happiness and love.

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Interested in advertising in our newsletter? A business card size display of your company information is available at $50.00 each per issue for GSVA members. Please contact us for submission deadline for each bimonthly issue.

Have an idea or an article for the newsletter? We’d love to hear from you. If you would like to submit an article or suggestions concerning our newsletter, please call us at (206) 322-1178, fax (206) 374-2944 or send us an email to info@seattlevietnam.org.

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Greater Seattle Viet Nam Association
P.O.Box 23282;  Seattle, WA 98102 USA
206-322-1178    *    Fax 206-374-2944    *     Email info@seattlevietnam.org