Legacies in motion
On April 30, 2025, we mark half a century since Black April or the Fall of Saigon — a moment that changed the course of countless lives and ignited the first wave of Vietnamese refugees seeking safety and freedom in the United States.
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Gunn High School’s Vietnamese Culture Club honors this pivotal moment by producing a student documentary commemorating the legacy of Black April through personal narratives, archival footage, and community voices that span generations.
At its core, this project explores five deeply necessary questions:
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Who are Vietnamese Americans today?
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What truths have emerged from the last five decades?
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What have we built—against all odds?
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How have we grown, across generations, as a community shaped by both memory and hope?
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And what emerging issues will the next generation face in order to sustain our community?
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Who is Vietnamese Culture Club?
FEBRUARY 2025-PRESENT
Vision to Voice
Since February 2025, VCC has used the Asian American Stories grant to produce this documentary honoring the 50th anniversary of Black April. Under our belt is months of design brainstorms, research, and interviews with Vietnamese American community members.
APRIL 2024
Win for Diversity
In 2024, our one-minute video celebrating our multiculturalism earned first place in the national Asian American Stories Contest. As part of the winnings, VCC was sponsored to attend the United Chinese-American Conference in Washington, D.C., and awarded a grant to continue producing media uplifting the Asian-American community.
AUGUST 2023
VCC Established
Founded in 2023, VCC celebrates Vietnamese-American culture and history with Gunn High School, Palo Alto’s community through music, food, volunteer work, leadership forums, and art.
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Our membership grew to over 40 students, and interestingly, 90% of youth were non-Vietnamese.​ What connected our platform across ethnic backgrounds was the love for Vietnamese food and appetite for social change.