We are the Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas. Our mission is to strengthen the greater Austin community by providing advocacy, social services, and programming that is culturally appropriate to the Vietnamese and Austin community. Our organization supports and facilitate cultural preservation, innovation, and creation.
Join us for the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon
on Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
On behalf of the Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas (VACAT), we respectfully invite you to attend our “50-Year Anniversary A Journey Past, A Legacy Forward” to be held on:
Event location:
1107 E Yager Ln, Austin, TX 78753
This meaningful event is organized to solemnly honor the armed forces of the former Republic of South Vietnam and to pay tribute to the families, individuals, and communities whose lives were forever changed after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Together, let us remember our forebears and express our respect by continuing to preserve the rich cultural heritage of South Vietnam.
The program will be conducted bilingually in both English and Vietnamese. We kindly encourage you to bring your children and grandchildren to join us. This is a unique opportunity for younger generations to learn about their heritage, better understand the historical events that shaped our community, and become inspired to build a strong, united future.
We hope to have the honor of your presence.
Program Highlights:
Join us for VACAT Vietnamese cultural celebration - the 2025 Austin Tet Festival on Sunday, January 19th from 11am-7pm!
Welcome the Year of the Snake with FREE admission to a day filled with vibrant performances, delicious Vietnamese cuisine, and exciting contests. Watch mesmerizing lion dances by Summit Lion Dance, Heavenly Dragon Dance, and Texas Southern Sea Dragon & Lion Dance teams, enjoy live music from local Austin singers, and participate in our Ao Dai Fashion Contest and Banh Mi Eating Contest for cash prizes!
Don't miss your chance to win amazing raffle prizes ($5 for 1 ticket, $20 for 5) while experiencing authentic Vietnamese culture, games, and entertainment. Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 19, from 11am-7pm at 9400 Neenah Ave, Austin, TX 78717.
Want to get involved? Scan our QR codes to sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Facebook, or join our volunteer community. Interested vendors and sponsors can call 512.960.5739.
The Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas (VACAT) extends our deepest gratitude to our incredible sponsors and community partners! Thanks to your generous support, we've been able to make a real difference in the lives of Vietnamese Americans in Austin.
Your contributions allow us to advocate for the community, host cultural events such as our Vietnamese American Cultural Celebration Festival, Tet & Tet Trung Thu Festival, Black April, Health Fairs, monthly events for seniors, accessible yoga programs, summer homeless care kits, winter clothing drives, digital skill workshops, Vietnamese language workshops and scholarships.
Because of you, we can continue to preserve our heritage, empower future generations, and uplift those in need!
We are a stronger community because of your partnership. Together, we can continue to celebrate our vibrant culture and create a brighter future for all!
Thank You for with us at our 2024 Vietnamese Cultural Celebration Festival!
We are deeply grateful to everyone who came out to our Vietnamese Cultural Celebration Festival! After getting the bill passed last year to make Vietnamese American Day official on May 17, we had to make this celebration unforgettable. We enjoyed lots of live performances from local Vietnamese singers and dancers, an elegant Ao Dai fashion show and contest that showcased the beauty and tradition of Vietnamese attire, including a fascinating display of Ao Dai fashion history throughout the years. Attendees had fun testing their knowledge with trivia games and winning exciting prizes and raffles, and the traditional Vietnamese game Bau Cua brought excitement and friendly competition to the celebration. Everyone had a blast singing their hearts out at the karaoke session, and the Banh Mi Eating Contest was a fun and delicious highlight that drew many enthusiastic participants. Our local vendors offered a wonderful variety of food and traditional Vietnamese clothing, adding to our festive atmosphere. This event was entirely free to attend, making it a perfect opportunity for families and individuals of all ages to experience the vibrant culture of Vietnam. Thank you once again for your incredible support and participation. Together, we made this celebration a resounding success!
Celebrate Vietnamese Culture with VACAT!
Join the Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas (VACAT) for a vibrant cultural celebration on May 18th, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM! This free event, held at 9400 Neenah Ave, Austin, TX 78717, is a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich traditions and heritage of Vietnam.
Festive Fun for All Ages:
Free Admission & Family-Friendly:
This event is entirely free to attend, making it a perfect opportunity for families and individuals of all ages to experience the vibrant culture of Vietnam.
Don't miss this exciting celebration of Vietnamese culture!
Join VACAT in supporting The Charlie Center and the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center in making a difference this summer!
We're assembling Summer Care Kits for the homeless and need your help with donations.
Please donate Backpacks, Cooling Towels, Fans, Water Bottles with Filters, Hats, Chapsticks, and School Supplies. Together, we can bring comfort and care to those in need. Thank you for your generosity!
The Charlie Center is a non-profit community center serving individuals experiencing homelessness easily access healthcare services and housing near Cedar Park and Austin, Texas.
Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center is the largest provider of homeless services in Travis County. They provide pathways to housing for people experiencing homelessness through low-barrier access to wraparound services by providing innovative, trauma-informed, and person-centered programming that engages our communities and leads system-wide transformation.
We're thrilled to announce the completion of our recent homeless drive. Thanks to your generosity, we packed 144 backpacks filled with essential items including:
Cooling Towels, Fans, Water Bottles with Filters, Hats, Chapsticks, Sunscreen, and School Supplies
Your contributions will bring comfort and care to those in need. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated!
VACAT is thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: our monthly Seniors Day program has achieved eighteen months of resounding success! Since its inception in January 2023, this program has been dedicated to serving our community, with a focus on our esteemed elders.
Our primary objective is to enrich our culture and heritage while fostering social connections, promoting health awareness, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
At VACAT, we are committed to making a positive impact one program at a time. We offer free services, activities, workshops, transportation, and translation services. This month, we are focusing on mental health and heart health awareness. We will also have a social hour with tea and snacks, plus free haircuts. Come join the community on August 10th for free yoga, meditation and free yoga mats!
VACAT paid respect and appreciation to those who served in the South Vietnam war prior to 1975. Thank you to community for coming out to support our veterens and celebrate with our speakers, singers, and ceremony!
VACAT is proud to announce our very first youth competition aimed at giving teams of 2 or more students the opportunity to win up to $1500 in scholarship prize money. This is open to to kids ages 12 and up, and is limited to students in middle school, high school, and under/post grad college students. To compete, each team must showcase something cool they have built or perform a live act. Each participating team must register using the following link no later than August 30,2023. The competition will take place at our Mid-Autumn festival at the end of September. The top 3 teams will receive $1500, $1000 and $500 respectively. As a bonus we will ask the top winning team to present / perform again at our 2024 Tet festival. We would like to give a huge thanks to Lien Phat Income Tax for sponsoring this program.
Deadline to apply for a preliminary selection is August 30, 2023.
As an integral part of the Vietnamese American community in Austin, Texas, VACAT is thrilled to join forces with local businesses and organizations to bring forth a remarkable scholarship program.
Our primary goal is to foster a deep sense of belonging and encourage students to actively engage with our vibrant community. We firmly believe that by supporting their academic and personal development, we can unlock the full potential of these remarkable individuals.
Through our scholarships, we aim to empower deserving students to pursue their educational aspirations, enabling them to thrive academically and beyond. By collaborating with local businesses, we also strive to strengthen the fabric of our community and showcase the remarkable talents of our students.
At VACAT, we are dedicated to nurturing the growth and well-being of our youth, as we firmly believe they are the future leaders who will shape our community. Through our personalized scholarships, we hope to instill a sense of pride, support, and motivation within each student, as they embark on their educational journey.
Together, let us create a brighter future, where academic success intertwines with community engagement, and where our students can achieve remarkable heights, all while celebrating their Vietnamese American heritage.
Thank You for Celebrating our Annual Mid-Autumn Festival/ Tet Trung Thu with Us!
We are immensely grateful to everyone who joined us for our Mid-Autumn event. The celebration was filled with wonderful moments and cultural richness. Attendees got to experience the traditional spirit of Mid-Autumn with beautiful complimentary lanterns!
Attendees indulged in authentic Vietnamese dishes, from savory banh mi to egg rolls and honeycomb cake. The entertainment captivated everyone with live performances showcasing Vietnam's dynamic cultural heritage, including traditional music, mesmerizing dance routines, and engaging activities for all ages.Our curated marketplace featured the finest Vietnamese-owned businesses, offering unique products, traditional clothing and one-of-a-kind finds. Many enjoyed experiencing traditional Vietnamese dress or purchasing their own.
This event was a perfect blend of culture, community, and celebration. Thank you once again for your incredible support and participation. Together, we made this Mid-Autumn Festival an unforgettable experience and we will see you next year!
VACAT MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL/ TET TRUNG THU
Join us for a mesmerizing journey into the heart of Vietnamese culture at our Vacat Mid-Autumn Festival!
Immerse yourself in a celebration filled with vibrant lanterns, delectable Vietnamese cuisine, captivating entertainment, and a showcase of exquisite Vietnamese fashion and products from local, Vietnamese-owned businesses.
Free Lanterns: Embrace the traditional spirit of Mid-Autumn as we offer complimentary lanterns to illuminate the night sky. Create a magical atmosphere of togetherness and make lasting memories with your loved ones.
Vietnamese Delights: Indulge your taste buds with an array of authentic Vietnamese dishes that will transport you straight to the bustling streets of Vietnam. From savory banh mi to mouthwatering egg rolls and honeycomb cake, experience the culinary richness of Vietnam's diverse cuisine.
Entertainment Extravaganza: Be captivated by live performances that showcase the dynamic cultural heritage of Vietnam. Enjoy traditional music, mesmerizing dance routines, and engaging activities for all ages.
Vietnamese Fashion and Local Treasures: Immerse yourself in the world of Vietnamese fashion and craftsmanship. Explore a curated marketplace featuring the finest Vietnamese-owned businesses, offering unique products and one-of-a-kind finds. Walk around and experience traditional Vietnamese dress or buy your own!
Date: September 24, 2023
Time: 3-7 pm
Location: The Holy Family Catholic School
Join us as we honor the Mid-Autumn Festival in style, fostering cultural connections, culinary delights, and a showcase of Vietnamese creativity and entrepreneurship. Don't miss out on this extraordinary experience. See you at the Vacat Mid-Autumn Festival!
MAY 17th is officially Vietnamese American Day in Texas!
May 17, 2023 will forever be etched in our hearts as a truly momentous day for Vietnamese Texans! With great joy and pride, we announce that the Texas State Capitol has officially designated May 17 as Vietnamese American Day, a remarkable achievement made possible through the unwavering dedication of House Representative Hubert Vo.
This historic milestone stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the vibrant Vietnamese American communities
in VACAT-The
Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas ,
Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. Together, we have left an indelible mark on history, forging a path towards strong representation and well-deserved recognition within the Asian
community.
We are immensely grateful to everyone who supported and contributed to this significant achievement. Your unwavering commitment has not only honored our
Vietnamese heritage but has also paved the way for future generations to thrive and celebrate their cultural identity. This momentous recognition during AAPI month fills us with immense pride and
renews our determination to uplift and empower our community.
Let us continue to stand united, amplifying our voices, preserving our rich cultural heritage, and striving for a brighter future where Vietnamese Americans
flourish. Together, we celebrate this extraordinary milestone and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
Experience the excitement of VACAT's Tet Festival Austin with our photos and video recap! This year's event was a resounding success, with a fantastic turnout and incredible support from the Austin community. Join us as we celebrate the rich culture and traditions of Tet, and extend a big thank you to our dedicated volunteers, board members, and generous sponsors for making this unforgettable experience possible. Enjoy the festivities and relive the memories with our video recap. Find us on Facebook.com/vacatorg for more photos of the event!
VACAT is thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: our monthly seniors day program has achieved six months of resounding success! Since its inception in January, this program has been dedicated to serving our community, with a particular focus on our esteemed elders. Our primary objective is to enrich our culture and heritage while fostering social connections, promoting health awareness, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. At VACAT, we are committed to making a positive impact one program at a time.
This month FREE services for everyone as below, no age restriction (unless specified)
***GAMES, SOCIALIZE, AND NETWORKING***
***TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIOR 65 AND OLDER: TEXT 512-960-5739 IF ANY SENIOR WHO NEEDS PICKUP AND DROP OFF SERVICE,
PLEASE INCLUDE NAME, PHONE NUMBER, AND ADDRESS
————————————————————————————
Để phục vụ những người lớn tuổi đồng thời đôi lúc cũng có dịch vụ cho nhu cầu chung cho mọi lứa tuổi như hôm nay. Đây là một trong những kế hoạch cho mỗi tháng một lần, cộng đồng xin kêu gọi sự ủng hộ của quý vị trong thời gian tới. Tất cả với mục tiêu lấy cương vị VACAT có được để gìn giữ và mở rộng những quyền lợi xã hội cho bà con và làm vững mạnh cộng đồng Việt Austin. Dịch vụ miễn phí cho tất cả mọi người không phân biệt tuổi tác cho tháng này gồm có:
CHƯƠNG TRÌNH & DỊCH VỤ CHO THÁNG NÀY:
***TEXT LANA 512-960-5739 TÊN, SỐ ĐIỆN THOẠI, TUỔI, VÀ ĐỊA CHỈ CỦA BÁC NÀO CẦN ĐƯA ĐÓN VÌ KHÔNG CÓ PHƯƠNG TIỆN XE ĐI LẠI (DỊCH VỤ NÀY CHO MẤY BÁC NÀO THẬT SỰ CẦN TỚI VÀ 65 TUỔI TRỞ LÊN)
*** CHƠI GAME HOẶC ĐÀM THOẠI VÀ GIAO LƯU ***
***TEXT LANA 512-960-5739 TÊN, SỐ ĐIỆN THOẠI, TUỔI, VÀ ĐỊA CHỈ CỦA BÁC NÀO CẦN ĐƯA ĐÓN VÌ KHÔNG CÓ PHƯƠNG TIỆN XE ĐI LẠI (DỊCH VỤ NÀY CHO MẤY BÁC NÀO THẬT SỰ CẦN TỚI VÀ 65 TUỔI TRỞ LÊN)
Địa điểm và ngày giờ trong hình đính kèm, xin chia sẻ rộng rãi cho nhiều người biết đến và ủng hộ
Join VACAT in celebrating the 10th annual CelebrASIA festival at the Asian American Resource Center! This year, we are thrilled to present a captivating live performance and an immersive cultural room experience.
In our live performance on stage, our dedicated volunteers will enchant you with a mesmerizing traditional fan dance, adorned in exquisite Ao Dai Dresses that beautifully represent the four seasons. Prepare to be swept away by the grace and elegance of this timeless art form.
Second, step into our cultural room and embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture. Our cultural room showcases the diversity and beauty of Vietnamese heritage while learning about the significance of our traditions. Immerse yourself in our AR photo booths, where you can capture memorable moments while surrounded by vibrant displays of Vietnamese traditions or Try on traditional clothing and feel the allure of the Ao Dai, a symbol of elegance and refinement. Learn new phrases in Vietnamese or discover new dishes and the influences that different regions had on Vietnamese cusine!
Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate Vietnamese culture with VACAT at CelebrASIA's milestone 10th annual festival. Join us for a truly immersive and unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the vibrant culture of Vietnam and its people!
Our Tet Festival will feature delicious Vietnamese food, cultural displays, and entertainment for all ages. Admission is free, and we'll also be giving out "li xi" gifts and hosting a kids fashion show.
Don't forget to purchase your presale raffle tickets at VACAT.ORG/RAFFLE for a chance to win amazing prizes!
We hope to see you there as we ring in the new year and celebrate Vietnamese culture.
Tet is the Vietnamese New Year, and it is the most important holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the beginning of the lunar new year.
There are many customs and traditions associated with Tet, such as decorating homes with flowers and other auspicious symbols, preparing special foods, and visiting relatives and friends. Many people also participate in ancestor worship and other religious rituals, and there are often parades and other public events held to mark the occasion.
One of the most distinctive features of Tet is the exchange of gifts, known as "li xi." It is traditional to give gifts of money, fruit, and other items to children, family members, and close friends.Overall, Tet is a time of great joy and celebration for the Vietnamese people, and it is a deeply ingrained part of the country's cultural identity.
Here is a look back on some of our previous Tet events!
Volunteers
Calling all volunteers! First, we want to thank those who faithfully volunteered in the past—you are the foundation of this event. Like previous years, we have a signup. Please sign-up with the link below, from which you can choose how to serve. Please confirm by January 10th .
https://www.vacat.org/volunteers
Vendors
Vendors add the “spice” to Tet! Please confirm your interest by January 4 th to guarantee a table for your goods. To do so, please contact: Lana Nguyen at 512-960-5739 or President@vacat.org
Sponsors
To our faithful sponsors, VACAT can only coordinate Tet due to your generous and visionary commitment to our community. The link below includes the different levels of sponsorship. Please confirm your support by January 10th . Thank you for your continued support all of these years! Or, as the Vietnamese say, cam on ban (“thank you”).
https://tinyurl.com/VACATSponsorVendor
Questions? Please contact VACAT President, Lana Nguyen, at President@vacat.org or 512-960-5739.
Thank you City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, Lien Phat & Co Income Tax, Loan Factory, Austin Elite Realty, Pho Please , Teapioca Lounge, Full Tax Services, Minuteman Press of Pflugerville, Austin Asian Impact, Toyota of North Austin, Community Health Care Center and Amerigroup!
On behalf of the entire VACAT team, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation for to our sponsors this holiday season. Their support has allowed us to continue our work and make a difference in the lives of those around us. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful sponsors, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work together and make a positive impact in the community!
Thank you to Austin Public Health for our grant to help eliminate the barrier of entry to yoga for the Vietnamese community. We provided free yoga mats and resources as well as Vietnamese Lead Yoga Classes with English subtitles so that these classes could be taken anywhere, anytime.
Embed Timestamp: Mayor's proclamation declaring May 2022 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the City of Pflugerville and VACAT acceptance
Pictured Left To Right: Victor Gonzales (Mayor of Pflugerville), Lana Nguyen (President), Nguyen Staton (Advisory Board Member), Anh Pham (Marketing Director)
"To dispel some fears related to the vaccine, a local organization called Open Eyes Beyond Border worked with the senior association, along with multiple other organizations, in late March to hold a COVID-19 vaccine information session, where medical professionals from the Austin area answered questions in Vietnamese.
Well-established groups within the local Vietnamese community, such as the Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas, or VACAT, helped sponsor the information session. The event also got support from nonprofits that work outside the Vietnamese community. " - Austin American Statesmen
On February 12 2022, the Vietnamese American Community of Austin Texas came togethere and gave away 44,000 masks + hand sanitizer at NG's Cafe to the Austin Community. VACAT members and voulnteers through rain and shine and in this case... hail!
Keeping Austin safe, one masks at a time! Thank you to VACAT's team, voulnteers, supports and partners as we have been able to make vital contributions to the community.
Our Free Small Face Masks Giveaway is this upcoming February 12th, 2022. Thanks to Touch International and CommunityCare, VACAT will be giving away 44,000 small face masks and a limited supply of hand sanitizer at
NG's Cafe 13000 N Interstate Hwy 35 200 Bldg 12, Austin Texas 78753
We would like to update you that, amidst 5 months of planning anticipation, VACAT has decided to postpone—not cancel—our Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival. As you may know, the Austin Public Health Department presently classifies the city’s COVID status as Stage 5. Therefore, for the safety of the public and our volunteers, we think it is wise to postpone our special event until later in the Spring. We sincerely hope, pending how the next few months go, to simply reschedule Tet for March or April. Of course, postponing does not diminish our enthusiasm for this event, the event’s ability to be successful, or how much we value your continued support.
Some may wonder if holding Tet a few months later would still hold the same value. While it is atypical to postpone Tet, we are also living in atypical times, given COVID. And, much like our resilient Vietnamese history attests in both Vietnam and the United States, we have always found creative ways to preserve and promote our cultural traditions.
Please stay tuned for a forthcoming update from VACAT by the end of February or March, as it is still possible we might be able to hold this special event. We thank you for your continued support.
VACAT Thanks our 2022 Sponsors for their generosity. Our next upcoming event is our In-Person Tet Festival on February 5th, 2022.
Thank you to Loan Factory, Lien Phat Pages, Amerigroup, Community Care, Austin Elite Realty, Full Tax Services, Pho Please, Emerson, Charles Maund Toyota, Pho Phong Lu’u, and the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division.
We will be hosting Tet this year on Saturday February 5th at The Holy Family Catholic School Pavilion. We will have cultural programing, celebrations, dragon dance, an ao dai fashion show, a live band, trivia and Vietnamese and carnival games, li -xi, raffles for a 60 inch TV, food vendors and so much more! We can’t wait to see you there!
The 21st Vietnamese Community Health Fair was a success thanks to all the wonderful volunteers,VACAT board, AVAMP (Austin Vietnamese American Medical Professional
Society) officers, Austin Public Health med students of UT, and future med students among the volunteers.
The community health fair serviced over 300+ people with language translators in Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Burmease. The Health Fair
provided Immunizations- Provided by Austin Public Health, Seasonal Flu vaccines, Moderna COVID vaccines, Pfizer COVID vaccines, Vision Screenings, Diabetic Blood
screenings, Cholesterol Blood screenings, High Blood Pressure screenings, BMI screenings, Patient Support and Education by AVAMPS and VACAT volunteers, Nutritional
Consult, MD Consult- Medical questions and medication reviews.
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