Vietnamese Assn. to Honor Board

The newly established Vietnamese Assn. of the San Fernando Valley will hold a dinner Saturday to honor its board members.

Founded three months ago, the association offers a variety of social, recreational and cultural services to the Valley’s Vietnamese community, which organizers estimate has grown to 20,000 people in the past two decades, said Richard Truong, the group’s secretary. Communities including Canoga Park, Reseda, Van Nuys, West Hills, Northridge and Chatsworth have become home to thousands of Vietnamese refugees over the years.

In 1993 the Vietnamese Senior Assn. of the San Fernando Valley was founded to give the community’s elders a place to gather and socialize, Truong said. But since then, the Vietnamese Senior Assn., despite its name, began providing services for the entire Vietnamese community.

A decision was made recently to change the group’s name to the Vietnamese Assn. of the San Fernando Valley to better represent the wide variety of ages it serves, Truong said.

Situated on Corbin Avenue, the association has a library with Vietnamese and English books and offers its members English, citizenship and kung fu classes, Truong said. The group has about 250 members.

The association also distributes free food and meals as well as offers after-school tutoring and martial arts classes for Vietnamese children. Health-care and orientation seminars are available for newcomers.

The association’s board of directors include Ngoc van Dinh, Chinh dinh Ho, Tien van Bui, Vinh quang Le, Richard Truong, Lu xuan Do and Sm sau Nguyen. Also, Nau thi Nguyen, Thien duy Nguyen, Chuong ngoc Ly, Hieu trung Vo, Mai Tuyen, Hung chi Le and Cu Van Vu.

Saturday’s dinner will begin at 4 p.m. at the association’s headquarters, 7241 Corbin Ave.

For more information, call (818) 993-1349.