'They help to reinforce and promote excellence': Vietnamese Culture and Science Association celebrates 25th annual luncheon

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner praised the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association after attending the organization's 25th annual American Youth Excellence Recognition Luncheon Aug. 9.

"The City of Houston commends and appreciates the Vietnamese Culture and Science Association for continuing to invest in and encourage the educational aspirations of our youth and future leaders,” the mayor said on Facebook. “Our great city is recognized as the second-largest Vietnamese-American community in the U.S. Organizations such as (VCSA) are so very critical as they help to reinforce and promote excellence in education, development and giving back to our greater community."

The Vietnamese Culture and Science Association is a Houston-based nonprofit organization founded in 1990, according to its website.

“It has over 650 members comprised of mainly young Vietnamese American and Canadian professionals, high school and college students in the U.S. and Canada,” the organization said. 

There are chapters in Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Minneapolis/St. Paul, San Diego, Washington, D.C., Toronto and Vancouver, the website said.

“The Vietnamese Culture and Science Association promotes excellence in education, leadership and skills development through culture and science,” the group said. “Our organization encourages multi-generational and cross-cultural collaborations. We foster civic participation in the mainstream and Vietnamese America and Canada through core event programs that celebrate Vietnamese culture as well as educational initiatives to emphasize civic engagement and a better understanding of the Vietnamese culture.”