Beyond Tradition - A panel Discussion

 

50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, April 30 1975

Everyone who grew up in Vietnam in the last 70-80 years probably was either taught in grade school or read in books about this poem.  The words are simple, yet they elegantly capture the embodiment of the Vietnamese spirit and how they see themselves.  The poem was written during the anti-colonialism movement as the country was at war against the French. 

Giờ Quốc sử

Những buổi sáng, vừng hồng le lói chiếu

Trên non sông, làng mạc, ruộng đồng quê,

Chúng tôi ngồi yên lặng, lắng tai nghe

Tiếng thầy giảng suốt trong giờ Quốc sử.

Thầy tôi bảo: “Các em nên nhớ rõ,

Nước chúng ta là một nước vinh quang.

Bao anh hùng thưở trước của giang san,

Đã đổ máu vì lợi quyền dân tộc.

Các em phải đêm ngày chăm chỉ học,

Để sau này nối được chí tiền nhân.

Ta chắc rằng, sau một cuộc xoay vần,

Dân tộc Việt sẽ là dân hùng liệt.

Ta tin tưởng không bao giờ tiêu diệt,

Giống anh hùng trên sông núi Việt Nam.

Bên những trang lịch sử bốn ngàn năm,

Đầy chiến thắng, đầy vinh quang máu thắm.”

Đoàn Văn Cừ (1913-2004)

The History Hour

Every morning, as the rising sun glimmers

across villages, rice fields, mountains, and rivers

We sat quietly listening to our teacher's voice

lecturing about our nation's history

He said: You should remember to the heart

We are a glorious and proud nation

Many heroes of the past have shed their blood

Together to build and protect our country

You must study day and night

To fulfill your ancestor's legacy

so that their sacrifices are not in vain

I am sure that after this vicious cycle of history

The Vietnamese people will once again be mighty

I believe our indomitable spirit will never succumb

Like never-ending heroes in the lands of Viet

and in the pages of our 4000-year-old history

In martyrdom, full of victory, full of glory.

Press Conference by IRCC Demanding the Opening of the Viet Museum

 

On April 22, IRCC management (the parent entity of Viet Museum) held a press conference in front of the SJ City Rotunda to demand the opening of the Viet Museum.  Attending the press conference were members of the Vietnamese news media, IRCC supporters, IRCC President Quinn Tran, and the President of the United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California,  Ha Trieu.

Quinn Tran, IRCC President (left), Thu Mong Hoang (Community Activist),
Tanya Thai Ha, IRCC Board (right)

The Viet Museum has been closed since December 2024.  History San Jose, the organization hired by San Jose City to manage Kelley Park and the buildings in the park (including the Viet Museum), decided to close the building since they could not determine the current legal operator /owner of the museum

According to the IRCC by-laws. the board shall hold an annual election to elect the board members by IRCC members.  IRCC was established in 1976 as a membership nonprofit where members paid annual dues.  The new board was elected by IRCC members in early January 2025.  According to the  Secretary of State's records,  Quinn Tran is currently the President and Board Member.  

To satisfy History San Jose's request for clarity of legal authority over Viet Museum,  Tran submitted to History San Jose relevant official documents regarding the current governance body and legal ownership of IRCC recognized by various state's agencies.  IRCC is the sole legal entity in the affiliate agreement with History San Jose.  IRCC has been in contract with History San Jose since 2007 as the parent entity of Viet Museum.  

Apparently, this was not enough for Bill Schroh, CEO of History San Jose.  He declared that he will not open the museum until he sees either a legal judgment or a written agreement signed by the new board elected by members in January 2025 and the alleged board that was trying to illegally take over IRCC from its founder, Loc Vu.

At the press conference and the subsequent public comment segment at the SJ City Council meeting on the same day, IRCC supporters and board members demanded that the Viet Museum be open so that all can access it, especially during the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. 

In the City Council Chamber, Ha Trieu spoke about the importance of the Viet Museum to the Vietnamese community's heritage and culture.  It serves as a significant institution to preserve and showcase the history of the Vietnamese exodus seeking freedom and the diaspora experience in Santa Clara County.   He also reminded the City Council that Mayoral Chief of Staff Jim Reed promised him publicly that he would help open the museum in February this year.

Thu Mong Hoang was last to speak and she said:

"... I stand before you not just as a cancer patient, but as someone who has poured heart, time, and resources into a cause that means the world to me—and to so many others.

Since 2012, I have devoted myself to helping build the Black Wall at the Viet Museum, a solemn tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for freedom. In 2020, I contributed again to the creation of the Quảng Trị Monument—another sacred symbol of courage and sacrifice.

These landmarks are not just pieces of history; they are the soul of a resilient community, a bridge for generations, and a testament to the sacrifices made in the name of liberty. And now, as we approach the 50th anniversary of the loss of our country, such a symbolic and meaningful milestone—this museum must not be silenced.

The thought of closing it down breaks my heart. It feels less like a decision and more like a punishment to all those who have fought, who have given, and who have remembered.

I humbly ask you: Please, keep the Viet Museum open. Let it continue to stand as a place of honor, of memory, and of hope."

In response to the lobbying and pressure from IRCC and community leaders, the City Council took a temporary measure allowing the museum to be open from April 30 to May 10.

In the meantime, an affiliate renewal with IRCC is due by July 1, 2025.  History San Jose already asked IRCC in an email: " If a legally validated governing organization is not established by that time, IRCC risks losing its affiliate status and occupancy of the Greenwalt House where the Viet Museum is located."

The issue facing IRCC is that the illegitimate board consisting of Nhut Quang Ho, Tue Quang Phan, Cuong Duc Nguyen, My Linh Pham, still claims that they are in possession of IRCC despite the fact that they were never voted in to be board members.  So far, they have refused to provide documents to prove their legitimacy and are unwilling to go through arbitration.   

To better understand why Viet Museum is closed, see the following link -

https://littlesaigoninside.blogspot.com/2025/01/the-ironic-and-shameful-fight-for-viet.html

 

Letter to Bishop Oscar Cantu about Viet Museum, Deacon Ho Quang Nhut, Reverend Khoa Vu

 On Fri, Apr 18, 2025 at 2:08 PM Quinn Tran <quinntran8@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Bishop Cantu,

It came to our (Immigrant Resettlement & Cultural Center/Viet Museum) attention that Our Lady of La Vang Catholic Church under the name of Reverend Giuse Vu Khoa and deacon Nhut Ho  will be hosting a Black April 50th Anniversary Commemoration event to be held on April 27th, 2025 at the Viet Museum, on the grounds of History Park in San Jose.  This is shocking and surprising to the members and the board of IRCC since it was previously explained to us by History San Jose that the event would be hosted by the Catholic Association, independently of IRCC but the public announcement stated otherwise.  

While we applaud the fact that the Vietnamese Catholic Church will be holding a solemn commemoration event, we object to the church’s claim that the Viet Museum is a co-organizer of the event.  IRCC is holding a separate event at the Santa Clara County Building on the same day. This causes confusion and anguish among the large Vietnamese community, especially for those that plan to independently visit the Viet Museum and the sacred monuments in front of the museum on April 27th.   None of the museum's displays or monuments should be used as the backdrop for the Catholic Association commemoration event as that will block public access for the citizens.

As a legally members-elected board of IRCC, we respectfully request that his Excellency clarifies and corrects the public claim that involves IRCC/Viet Museum in any organizational role with the leadership of the La Vang Catholic Church and/or Catholic Association.  Additionally we would refer to the attached letter from the founder of IRCC to the CEO of History San Jose for further clarification.  We request that the correction is made immediately as April 27th is only a week away.

We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your immediate resolution of this serious matter.

Respectfully yours,

Quinn Tran

Board member, President and Executive Director

IRCC – Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center

650 219 5659 

IRCCVietMuseum2025@gmail.com  or quinntran8@gmail.com

 Website:https://VietIRCC.org

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Giao Chi <giaochi12@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Apr 13, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Subject: Formal Protest Against History San José’s Complicity in the Turmoil and Seizure of the Viet Museum
To: Bill Schroh <bschroh@historysanjose.org>
Cc: <matt.mahan@sanjoseca.gov>, Reed, Jim <jim.reed@sanjoseca.gov>, Maguire, Jennifer <jennifer.maguire@sanjoseca.gov>, <leland.wilcox@sanjoseca.gov>, Rios, Angel <angel.rios@sanjoseca.gov>, Thai Ha <thaiha168@yahoo.com>, Frank Nguyen <franktnguyen@gmail.com>, Quinn Tran <quinntran8@gmail.com>, Nhu-Hanh Tonnu <nhuhanh.tn@gmail.com>, Phi Ha <khanhphi.ha@gmail.com>

From: Lộc Vũ

Founding President Emeritus
Immigrant Resettlement & Cultural Center, Inc.
(The Legal Entity Responsible for the Viet Museum)

To: Mr. Bill Schroh, Jr.

President & CEO
History San José
1650 Senter Road
San José, CA 95112

Dear Mr. Schroh,

I address you not from a position of authority, but from a profound sense of moral duty. Now residing in a nursing home and near the end of my life, I have relinquished any formal responsibilities with IRCC, Inc. and the Viet Museum; my title of Founding President Emeritus remains purely honorary. Yet the legacy I have devoted my life to—and the truth I must now proclaim—remain matters of utmost importance.

The Viet Museum is far more than a mere structure; it is a sanctuary of memory, history, and heritage for 180,000 Vietnamese Americans in Santa Clara County and for millions more both nationally and globally. It stands as a testament to the heroism of our soldiers, the enduring hope of the boat people, the resilience of re-education camp survivors, and the indomitable spirit of our community.

For 45 years, I labored to build the IRCC, and for 30 years I dedicated myself to the creation of the Viet Museum. I executed the original affiliate agreement with History San José, orchestrated campaigns, amassed invaluable artifacts, mobilized volunteers, and shared the narratives that define our collective heritage. The existence of the Museum today is the culmination of our community’s devotion and my life’s work - a legacy that no one can deny or distort.

Regrettably, this cherished institution is now being held hostage.

On December 23, 2024, you altered the locks and obstructed access to the Museum under the pretext of a governance dispute - a dispute that was amicably resolved on January 11, 2025, through a duly convened Membership meeting, wherein a new board was duly elected, my resignation accepted, and the requisite legal filings completed with the State. This transition was reaffirmed at the annual meeting of the Membership on February 26, 2025, and all pertinent documentation was furnished to you.

Yet, despite this lawful transition, you have continued to deny the Museum to its rightful leadership. While invoking the notion of “neutrality,” you have failed to compel those responsible for the sabotage—a faction lacking legal standing—to desist. In the sacred month marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnamese exodus and the commemoration of Black April, you have allowed these very individuals, who endeavored to unlawfully seize control, to orchestrate a major public event at the Viet Museum on April 27, 2025.

 In February, you stated that this April 27 event was organized by the Catholic Association and bore no affiliation with IRCC. Yet the above flyer now circulating among our community unmistakably confirms that the event is being led by the same self-declared “board” members who were not lawfully elected/reelected, who lack registration with the appropriate authorities, and who have failed to produce any governing credentials. 

Your continued claim of neutrality is, therefore, entirely indefensible.

Moreover, your inaction has precipitated widespread chaos and outrage. On the very same day that the legitimate and duly elected leadership of IRCC is hosting the 50th anniversary commemoration at the Santa Clara County Government Center—a solemn event planned in the true spirit of remembrance and community unity—an unauthorized group is staging a parallel event at the Museum itself, masquerading under the titles “IRCC” and “Viet Museum.” Here is the flyer of the real Viet Museum organization.

IRCC New Board Members and the Temporarilty Reopening of the Viet Museum

On January 11, 2025,  members of Immigrant Resettlement & Cultural Center (IRCC) voted for a new board for the 2025 term as required by the nonprofit organization's bylaws. 

One of the action items of the board was to elect a new president and executive director to replace Loc Vu, who officially resigned after 48 years at the helm.  ED Quinn Tran then met with San Jose Mayor and his Chief of Staff Jim Reed to reopen the Viet Museum after it was shut down by History San Jose at the request Hong Cao (the former ED of Viet Museum who was let go by Loc Vu due to insubordination detrimental to the operations of IRCC).  

In December 2024, Tara Dang (community represenative for the Mayor's office) communicated with Michelle Duncan of History San Jose to only allow Hong Cao to access Viet Museum and not Loc Vu and his staff. 

Loc Vu informed History of Museum (Bill Stroh and Michelle Duncan) that the contract is with IRCC and Hong Cao was only an employee of IRCC.  

History San Jose decided then to close public access to Viet Museum due to conflicting information. 

Worrying the dispute would become a political liability especially during upcoming 50th anniversity of Fall of Saigon,  Mayor Matt Mahan stepped in and opened the museum during the Lunar New Year celebration per the request by the new management and board of IRCC.  But after one week, the museum was closed again.

Tet Fairs in San Jose 2025 Starting Jan. 25th

 

The Ironic and Shameful Fight For The Viet Museum

The Vietnamese American community in San Jose was taken by surprise during the holiday season by some disturbing public announcements about IRCC and the Viet Museum.  

Dec 12, 2024 -  A terse letter by the IRCC Board of Directors announcing the retirement of Loc Vu as  ED of IRCC effective January 2025.  The letter was without signature and sent through a surrogate by Hong Cao, an ED of the Viet Museum

In response, Loc Vu sent a letter terminating Hong Cao as ED of Viet Museum and dissolving the current board due to violations of IRCC bylaws.

Dec. 18, 2024 - The IRCC Board sent a letter to the public claiming that Vu had mishandled IRCC funding for his benefit and committed nepotism by suggesting his son-in-law be the ED of IRCC.   This time, it was signed by Cuong Nguyen.

Dec. 20, 2024 - Vu’s lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter to five people on the board stating that they were in violation of IRCC bylaws and that their actions were illegitimate.

Dec. 23, 2024 - Loc Vu held an IRCC public forum with an open invitation.  None of his accusers were present.

Dec. 28, 2024 - Tue Phan, an alleged board member, wrote an Op-ed piece doubling down on the accusations.

Jan. 6, 2025 - Vu’s lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter to Tue Phan demanding public apologies for making false accusations and public statements of libel and defamation.

Meanwhile, Bill Schroh, CEO of History San Jose, closed the museum at the suggestion of Tara Dang, an aide to the Mayor Matt Mahan.  History San Jose is the operator of Kelley Park and all of its buildings.

90th Birthday with Pattie Cortese and Hoang Mong Thu (Cortese's Facebook)

A Brief History of IRCC

To have a better understanding of the public dispute and what the few members of the IRCC Board are fighting for, let us turn back the pages.

 Upon arriving in 1976, Loc Vu, 92, founded the Immigration Resettlement and Cultural Center (IRCC) to provide educational and social services to the thousands of Vietnamese refugees coming to the Bay Area.

IRCC was established as a membership nonprofit organization where members pay dues and participate in board member selection and other activities.

 The Viet Museum also known as the Museum of the Boat People and the Republic of Viet Nam was established by Loc Vu in 1990 as part of the IRCC.   He sought to build a collection dedicated to the experiences of the Vietnamese community in the US.  He sold his house and moved to a trailer so that he could provide $150k in seed money to start the museum. 

The local Vietnamese community soon became involved with many donating items relevant to the experiences of refugees and the war itself.

In March 2006, the city entered an agreement with IRCC to convert the Greenwalt House in Kelley Park to become the Viet Museum housing and exhibiting his collections.   The museum is now one of the main attractions in the park with thousands of visitors annually.  

Blood Money and A Smearing Campaign

In August 2024, rumors were heard in the community about the removal of Hong Cao as head of the Viet Museum.  About three years ago, he was hired by Loc Vu to help run the Viet Museum. 

In early 2024, Loc Vu applied for and received a grant of $55,000 from the county.  Before the grant was distributed, he was informed by the county that they received complaints about his mismanagement of funds.  It was filed by Hong Cao and Nhut Quang Ho

A few board members wanted the $55,000 grant that Loc Vu received from the county to be under a new bank account under the control of Hong Cao.  An email was sent by a few board members to IRCC members worrying about the mental health of Vu and whether he is fit to run IRCC.

In July, without Vu’s knowledge, Hong Cao had his name added to the California Secretary of State's Statement of Information.  Hong Cao is now on file as the director and officer of IRCC. 

Vu called a meeting and expressed his dismay at the treatment of the people he had trusted.  He felt that Hong Cao and a few board members betrayed him and wanted to take over IRCC behind his back.  He wanted to put Hong Cao on a 2-month suspension until the false information was clarified. According to an insider, a few board members headed by My Linh Pham and Tue Phan took the side of Hong Cao and told him that he had no authority.   

A Summer of Heartbreak / Conflict Resolution Attempt

Vu had to deal with the county about the financial mismanagement charge.  There was no proof of funding mismanagement.  He had put his family's money as a loan to IRCC to keep it afloat during the lean times. He had not received a salary for decades, as confirmed by annual tax records audited by a local accounting firm.  The county investigated and concluded that the criminal complaint was a nuisance complaint.

The nepotism charge was purposedly misconstrued since he only suggested his son-in-law, Minh Le, temporarily replace him as head of IRCC during this time of conflict while the board was looking for a replacement.

Minh Le, 72, is well known in the hi-tech industry as a corporate management consultant and educator.   As a senior fellow of the American Leadership Forum (ALF), he received the 2024 John Gardner Award for his work to bring diversity, inclusiveness, engagement, and respect to the community.  Senior Fellows of ALF are who’s who of the Silicon Valley corporate world and political arena like Sam Liccardo, Cindy Chavez, etc.

The $55k grant was finally released with the approval of Supervisor Cindy Chavez.   Minh Le then suggested a face-to-face meeting with all concerned members for conflict resolution.  A few board members agreed but when it came time to meet, Hong Cao, Tue Phan, and My Linh Pham refused to attend.

Secrets meetings were held since July without Loc Vu's knowledge and plans of how to remove him were discussed.   A few members of the board expressed their frustration on the the disrespectful treatment of Vu, they had stopped attending the secret meetings and worried openly about the board's scheming way.   

Common sense of decency and respect for an old man spending his life bringing the community up would suggest an open discussion and heart-to-heart talk.  But instead, holding secret meetings, behind the back actions trying to divide,  and refusing communication with Vu by a few board members aiming to remove him at all costs have built a deep moat filled with pride and ego.

 Who are the Board Members of IRCC

It has been difficult to determine who are the current board members of IRCC.    Emails and phone calls went unanswered.  Only a few board members are now involved in the dispute.  To further obscure the matter, letters sent to the public were without signatures or names until being questioned by the community.

Information gathered from the board members who are disgusted with the actions of the other board members in their treatment of Loc Vu have shed some light on the causes behind the conflict.  Here are brief backgrounds of the board members.

Philip Nguyen is the ED of the Vietnamese American Roundtable.  He has not been active since February 2024 and resigned in September 2024.  He did not know about the conflict since nobody included him in the communication.

Hong Cao (left) and Nhut Quang Ho 

Nhut Quang Ho is a retired insurance agent in San Jose and a long-time board member. He told everyone he is uncomfortable with the whole episode and that he is staying out. He told Vu that since you did not bend your knee to them, he would suffer the consequences, for they are determined.  Behind the scenes, he was the one along with Hong Cao who filed a criminal complaint of financial fraud to the county. 

Tanya Thai Ha is a well-known community activist who in the past, has been a reliable fundraiser for IRCC.  She could not stand the “That duc” actions a few board members were doing.   “That duc” in Vietnamese means a lack of morality and unethical.

Cuong Nguyen, 83, owner of Pho Wagon Restaurant in Sunnyvale.  He is trying his best to resolve the conflict but feels powerless.  He and Nhut Ho tried unsuccessfully to get the other board members to resolve the conflict peacefully. 

Cuong Nguyen (left) and Tue Phan (Right)

Tue Phan, 82, a retired administrative immigration judge, living in Danville.  He is distant in the community but always reminds people that he was the first Vietnamese American federal judge.  

Mentally not as sharp as he used to be,  his recent Op-ed letter to the community accusing Vu of mismanaging money while committing all kinds of misconduct showed his confusion of facts.    

Vu’s lawyer sent a letter requesting him to stop the public libel and pointed out the false accusations.   See the attached document.

Hong Cao was hired by Vu to help with maintaining the Viet Museum.  He has a knack for controversy. In the summer of 2024, he openly accused the head of the United Vietnamese American Community of Northern California of laundering money.  In response, the head of UVAC of Northern Cal sent a public statement asking Hong Cao to either provide proof or he should resign from being the head of the Viet Museum.   Hong Cao did not respond.

My Linh Pham is currently a Santa Clara County employee in one of their healthcare divisions.  She and her husband, Sam Ho, have a nonprofit organization called the Asian American Center of Santa Clara County.   She also claimed that UVAC of Northern Cal mismanaged funding.  My Linh was invited to be on the board.

Hong Cao and My Linh were members of the UVAC of Northern California.  They both resigned after getting tangled in a power struggle with other members of UVAC. But not to be forgotten, their departing gift was the accusation of money laundering and financial mismanagement by the head of UVAC of Northern Cal.

Money Laundering and Fund Mismanagement?   

The money laundering and fund misuse accusation is a familiar story in the community -

 Phuong (Peter) Nguyen, an aide to State Senator Dave Cortese, in the past, had told people in the community that My Linh Pham had mismanaged COVID-19 funding given to her nonprofit from Destination Home.  The truth is probably a vengeful action by Peter Nguyen as he felt he did not get what he wanted in his dealing with her. 

The controversial accusation by My Linh Pham and Hong Cao against UVAC when they resigned from the group.  The truth is probably hurt ego and damaged pride for they were on the short end of a power struggle.

The public accusation of Loc Vu by a few members of the IRCC board on the mismanagement of funding and IRCC itself.  The truth is yet to be fully revealed but the conventional wisdom is probably a smearing campaign to take over IRCC by hook or by crook.

Community Reactions

Most people are puzzled why the dispute between a few board members and Loc Vu had to be dragged out in public.   Loc Vu has helped build the community in the last 45 years.  He plays an important role in putting the Vietnamese American community on the map in San Jose.  

A few board members mentioned are his junior, and some are his children’s age.   Their public smearing campaign against an old man has caused anger in the community.  The disrespectful treatment of somebody older than your father and unwillingness to sit down for a conflict resolution is what people are questioning.

Instead of de-escalating, Tue Phan is escalating and doubling down on false accusations in the name of the IRCC Board.  A board that nobody knows for sure who they are and working under a cloak of secrecy with an agenda that is so far not in the best interest of the community.   

On December 23, 2024, an IRCC held a public forum with an open invitation to all.  Leaders of the community including Hoang Co Dinh, the lawyer Bich Nguyen, Trieu Ha, Hoang Mong Thu, and Van Lan Truong, spoke in support of Loc Vu.   None of his accusers showed up to help the community better understand their sides of the conflict.

One of the lingering questions in their minds is why such a divisive and scorched earth donnybrook by the few members of the boards who have not contributed anything significant to IRCC but were using IRCC and Loc Vu’s name to gain their 15 minutes of fame.

Loc Vu said at the end: " I would like to apologize for everything, it is all my fault for building something to preserve our history and trusting people to be decent and do the right thing for the benefit of all..."

What's next?

With the alleged board with few members left refusing to have any communication with Loc Vu for conflict resolution and the recent defamation letter by Tue Phan with the intention to hurt Vu's reputation, it is difficult to know where this conflict will be heading.  

The community is afraid whatever happens, the damage already has been done by the few members of the board with their egoistic determination to shamefully destroy an honorable old man who has dedicated his life to serving the community proudly and generously. 

As the Vietnamese diasporic community in San Jose prepares for the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon for being on the losing side of a bitter and divisive war among brothers, it is ironic that the Vietnam Museum and its collections of Vietnam War history and refugee experiences is now a battleground to the death among brothers.