Our History
The Vietnamese Community of Minnesota (VCM) was originally established in 1981, representing the first wave of a few thousand refugees resettled in the State of Minnesota after the fall of Saigon. In 1998, the VCM was incorporated with the Secretary of State's Office. Since our founding, the population has grown to over twenty thousand residents consisting of many differentiations formed by geographical, socio-economic and demographic factors creating different needs and interests within our community in Minnesota.
In response to the new and complex nature of our community, a new board of directors of eighteen members was elected in January 2004, with staggered terms, to serve the Vietnamese community by bridging the above stated gaps with new and innovative initiatives. For over two decades, the VCM's work has expanded to address other unmet needs experienced by the Vietnamese as they build new lives here. By partnering with many great sponsors over the years, our annual Tet arts and cultural festival attracted thousands of people in attendance including many federal and state officials, as well as representatives from local agencies.
The VCM's program initiatives currently include: cultural arts, networking & outreach, educational and social justice advocacy. All of the VCM's activities focus on helping Vietnamese (and other Asian) people overcome challenges and obstacles, to advance and contribute in meaningful ways to the greater community. The VCM is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.
VCM works cooperatively with a wide range of other Vietnamese community organizations, private corporations, non-profit organizations and many individuals regarding employment, social service and health related issues.
The VCM strives for the fostering and development of important partnerships with a wide range of Asian Social agencies and organizations from the broader community. Our collaborating relationships include: Vietnamese Refugee Community of Minnesota, Vietnamese Social Services, Vietnamese Broadcasting of Minnesota, Viet Minnesota Radio, Vietnamese' Today Newspaper, Little Saigon News, University of Minnesota's Vietnamese Student Association, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Hung Vuong Association of Minnesota, local Vietnamese Buddhist temples and churches, Minnesota Partnership for Action Against Tobacco, and the Minnesota Secretary of State.