More than 600 people crowded into the Pegasus Grand Ballroom Sunday night for the cultural celebration of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
Every year, the Vietnamese American Student Association hosts this commemorative festival in celebration of its heritage.
The festival was a combination of dances, music, songs, martial arts, skits and modeling. The show began powerfully with a traditional Lion Dance presented by Vovinam, a Vietnamese martial arts group. Performers Chris Nguyen, Zack Chang and Jason Tran are all students at Winter Park High School. They are regular participants in the Lunar New Year celebration.
"I thought it was great, and we're improving every year," Chang said. "I hope more people will be aware of this Asian American movement that's on the rise."
Tran said he thought the event was excellent publicity for Vietnamese culture. "These events are great because they promote our Vietnamese culture here in the Orlando area," he said.
Fellow performer Nguyen said, "It's refreshing to see that Asians in the community came together in support of this festival."
Tran agreed. "I'm happy that the students are in touch with their heritage," he said. "They put together a good show for the community, and it makes me proud to see young students preserving our culture."
UCF students also enjoyed the event. During intermission, Cornelio Mamboleo said, "So far, so good. I'm enjoying the performances."
Mamboleo is President of the International Student Association. "I came here in support of the Vietnamese cultural background," he said. "That's what our organization is about."
Tuan Tran, a member of the hip hop and break-dance group Versified, also performed at the event. Versified is well known in and around the Orlando area. "The crowd seemed to enjoy our performance," Tran said. "It was fun."
Tran has been a member of Versified for about two years and was thrilled with VASA's program. "This is a great event that celebrates Vietnamese culture," he said. "We were here last year and will be next year."
Some young students found inspiration in the performances.
"Maybe I'll perform next year with my friends," said Julia Nguyen, middle school student and attended the event with her uncle.
They found out about the event on the UCF Web site. "We look forward to coming back next year," Nguyen said.
William and Melissa Choi attended the event last year as well as this year. "The students put a lot of effort into this celebration," Melissa Choi said. "I liked this year's show more than last year's. It was more organized this year. Overall, they did a wonderful job."
The festival was emceed by Bryan Nguyen and Miss Vietnam Florida 2005, Maya Tran. Nguyen is a senior at UCF and majors in information technology.
"I like to know that people are enjoying the show, and I felt that I helped the audience to have a good time," he said. "I enjoyed my time emceeing, and it was a great experience.
"I think it turned out well. As far as attendance is concerned, the Pegasus Ballroom was completely full. A lot of our hard work and dedication paid off. It turned out to be a very successful event."
Trang Thach, President of Vietnamese American Student Association, was satisfied with attendance.
"I think we had a great turnout," he said. "Everyone worked well together. The festival was a grand celebration of our Lunar New Years."
There was a wide range of community members at the event. "People from churches and temples, the general community and students from UCF," Thatch said. "Everyone was involved and everyone contributed. Events like this help the community because they raise cultural awareness and helps unite the community."
Ricky Ly, former VASA president and current senior consultant, said the celebration helped spread knowledge of the Vietnamese culture.
"The show is a great example of how students have the opportunity to present their own created and self-defined images," he said. "It was really empowering. It gives Vietnamese Americans the chance to show that we are a people, a culture, much more than just a war. We are a culture full of life and tradition, songs and dance. Hopefully, the UCF student body will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the diversity of the Vietnamese after this cultural celebration."
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