What is the Vietnamese Diaspora?
Vietnamese Diaspora refers to the Vietnamese population that lives outside of Vietnam. As Vietnamese refugees escaped communism, they scattered across the world to seek shelter and freedom. Many refugees who came to America settled in San Jose, where our Post-Confirmation group is based. As Vietnamese Americans, it is important to acknowledge our Diaspora. We grew up away from the motherland, in an environment where many customs and traditional norms do not apply. This makes our identity unique and different from our parents and those who grew up in Vietnam. Although the Vietnamese diaspora is dispersed around the world, we are all Con Rồng Cháu Tiên and will continue to make sure the Vietnamese culture lives on.
Người Việt hải ngoại là nhưng gốc Việt sinh sống ở nước ngoài. Để thoát khỏi chế đọ cộng sản, người Việt tị nạn ở khắp mọi nơi trên thế giới. Chúng em lớn lên xa quê hương, trong một bối cảnh khác nên một số phong tục và cách sông của người Việt Nam rất khó áp dụng ngày nay. Tuy vậy, minh vẫn là Con Rồng Cháu Tiên và sẽ tiếp tục tìm mọi cách để giữ nên văn hoá và phong tục truyền thống của Việt Nam.
An essential portion of the Vietnamese culture. Vietnamese food has become more mainstream as time passes with popular dishes like phở or bánh mì. Vietnamese people pride themselves in their cooking and show affection through food.
Vietnamese customs are important in their culture. Rooted in respect, these customs mainly revolve around helping the family and honoring elders. Some of these customs include bowing to those older than you, setting the table, waiting for the elders to eat first, having a traditional tea ceremony for weddings, and honoring our ancestors.
The Vietnamese culture focuses on these major events: Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, weddings, funerals, and death anniversaries. Each of these events is held with specific traditions that must be followed. As Vietnamese-Catholics we also celebrate feast days of our patron saints.
Vietnamese refugees escaped Vietnam and began a new life in a completely foreign environment. Despite being forced to assimilate into a new set of cultures and norms, the Vietnamese diaspora has found ways to build communities where ever they go. During the period of resettling, Vietnamese refugees united and found shelter and a sense of belonging through establishments such as community centers, school organizations, grocery stores, food plazas, churches, and temples. This is evident today in the Little Saigon neighborhoods of Vietnamese heavily-populated cities. To prevent the loss of cultural knowledge through future generations, we will continue to celebrate the Vietnamese culture to reminds us of our roots and the beloved country of our ancestors.