Dr. Truong Duy Nong

March 13, 1958 - January 20, 2026

In Memoriam of Trường Duy Nông, PhD

 The passing of our ICEVN founder, president and board member, Trường Duy Nông, on January 20, 2026, has undoubtedly left an emptiness in the hearts of all who knew him. Though we were aware of his long struggle with cancer, his congenital intestinal illness, and the many health challenges he endured throughout his life, his death still felt sudden and unreal. He had always seemed to overcome adversity with saintly resilience and determination. We were optimistic that he would be well enough by February to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his family and colleagues. Even in his final hours, as cancer aggressively spread to his lungs, his thoughts remained steadfastly focused on others - he was still asking about preparations for the upcoming youth leadership camp.

Born in Vietnam and grew up in a devastating war that tore families and nations apart, Trường Nông carried within him a restless sorrow intertwined with a deep passion for the human condition, the fate of the Vietnamese people, and the destiny of his homeland. This enduring compassion was also shaped by his family’s legacy of military services fighting for freedom against communism, and Vietnam’s long history shadowed by colonialism, exploitation, and independent wars.  

These experiences did not harden him; instead, they deepened his empathy and strengthened his sense of responsibility.  He spent his professional life as a math educator,   but like many Vietnamese of his generation and those before, his mind never ceased asking how he could help create a better future for the Vietnamese people. With unwavering perseverance and resolve, he anchored his life’s work in the  social vision of the great patriot Phan Châu Trinh: “Enlighten the people’s mind, strengthen the people’s spirit, and improve the people’s being.”  

ICEVN was born with these goals -  to expand knowledge, awaken moral courage, and nurture a sense of responsibility that would allow individuals and communities to develop economic independence, and political self-determination.

In his quest to help rebuild Vietnam, the ICEVN journey with his devoted and loving partner, Anh Lan Nguyễn, PhD, that began in Houston gradually expanded in scope and purpose. ICEVN’s mission to promote social responsibility, civic rights, engagement, and duty evolved beyond national boundaries, becoming relevant to global communities striving to advance the common good. Through this work, his legacy transcends geography, reminding us that service, conscience, and compassion know no borders.

We sometimes reflected on how our lives came together by circumstance, walking on the boundless, never-ending road of Vietnam, a road filled with torn lives and shattered hearts.  Like generations before us, our footsteps carry burning resolve to help rebuild home and homeland for we know that this road will lead us to a time and space where Vietnamese people will rise proudly in tranquility and carry forward the will of its glory history.

Trường Nông lived a full life of quiet strength, clear purpose with humility, and compassion for humankind. His legacy endures not only in the institution he built, but in the countless lives he touched, inspired, and guided.  He left the earthly bonds that constrained his physical being and touched the face of heaven, but his spirit continues to walk with us on that Vietnam road as we follow his indelible footprints. And as of now,  the wind would have carried his heart across all corners of the earth, allowing his selfless love and passion for humanity to take root and continue to grow.

 ICEVN Board 

 

Tưởng Niệm Tiến Sĩ Nông Duy Trường

 Sự ra đi của nhà sáng lập, chủ tịch và thành viên Hội đồng ICEVN, Tiến sĩ Nông Duy Trường, vào ngày 20 tháng 1 năm 2026, đã để lại một khoảng trống khó có thể lấp đầy trong trái tim của tất cả những ai từng biết đến anh. Dù chúng ta đều biết anh đang chống chọi với căn bệnh ung thư, chứng bệnh bẩm sinh về đường ruột, và vô số thử thách sức khỏe mà anh phải chịu đựng suốt cuộc đời, sự ra đi của anh vẫn đến quá đột ngột và khó tin. Anh luôn là người vượt qua nghịch cảnh bằng một nghị lực phi thường và một tinh thần kiên định như của một vị thánh. Chúng ta vẫn hy vọng rằng anh sẽ đủ khỏe để đón Tết Nguyên Đán cùng gia đình và đồng nghiệp vào tháng Hai. Ngay cả trong những giờ phút cuối cùng, khi ung thư lan nhanh đến phổi, tâm trí anh vẫn hướng về người khác—anh vẫn hỏi về công tác chuẩn bị cho trại huấn luyện lãnh đạo thanh niên sắp tới.

Sinh ra tại Việt Nam và lớn lên giữa cuộc chiến tàn khốc phân chia đất nước , Tiến sĩ Nông Trường mang trong mình một nỗi ưu tư không nguôi, hòa quyện với niềm trăn trở sâu sắc về thân phận con người, thân phận của người dân Việt, và vận mệnh dân tộc, tương lai của quê hương thần thoại.  Lòng trắc ẩn bền bỉ ấy còn được hun đúc từ truyền thống gia đình phục vụ quân ngũ, chiến đấu cho tự do chống lại chủ nghĩa cộng sản, và từ lịch sử dài đau thương của Việt Nam dưới bóng thực dân, áp bức và những cuộc chiến giành độc lập.

Những trải nghiệm ấy không khiến anh trở nên cứng cỏi; trái lại, chúng làm sâu sắc thêm lòng nhân ái và củng cố ý thức trách nhiệm của anh. Dù dành phần lớn cuộc đời cho nghề giáo dạy toán, anh vẫn luôn trăn trở—như bao người Việt cùng thế hệ và những thế hệ trước—làm thế nào để góp phần xây dựng một tương lai tốt đẹp hơn cho dân tộc. Với sự kiên trì và quyết tâm không lay chuyển, anh đặt nền tảng cho sự nghiệp của mình dựa trên tư tưởng xã hội của nhà chí sĩ Phan Châu Trinh: “Khai dân trí, chấn dân khí, hậu dân sinh.”

ICEVN được hình thành từ những lý tưởng - mở rộng tri thức, đánh thức dũng khí đạo đức, và nuôi dưỡng tinh thần trách nhiệm để mỗi cá nhân và cộng đồng có thể xây dựng nền tảng kinh tế độc lập và quyền tự quyết chính trị.

Trong hành trình tìm cách góp phần tái thiết Việt Nam, ICEVN bắt đầu từ Houston cùng người bạn đời tận tụy và yêu thương của anh, Tiến sĩ Anh Lan Nguyễn, dần mở rộng về quy mô và mục tiêu. Sứ mệnh thúc đẩy trách nhiệm xã hội, quyền công dân, sự tham gia và bổn phận công dân của ICEVN đã vượt khỏi biên giới quốc gia, trở nên có ý nghĩa đối với các cộng đồng toàn cầu đang nỗ lực vì lợi ích chung. Qua công việc ấy, di sản của anh vượt lên mọi ranh giới quốc gia, nhắc nhở chúng ta rằng phục vụ, lương tâm và lòng nhân ái không hề có biên giới.

Đôi khi chúng tôi cùng suy ngẫm về cách cuộc đời đưa đẩy chúng tôi đến với nhau, cùng bước trên con đường Việt Nam vô tận, một con đường chất đầy những tan vỡ và tổn thương. Như bao thế hệ trước, bước chân chúng ta mang theo ngọn lửa quyết tâm xây dựng lại quê hương, bởi chúng ta tin rằng con đường ấy sẽ dẫn đến một thời khắc mà dân tộc Việt Nam sẽ đứng dậy trong bình yên và tiếp nối hào khí của lịch sử.

Tiến sĩ Nông Trường  đã sống một cuộc đời trọn vẹn với sức mạnh thầm lặng, mục đích rõ ràng, sự khiêm nhường và lòng nhân ái dành cho nhân loại. Di sản của anh không chỉ tồn tại trong tổ chức mà anh đã xây dựng, mà còn trong vô số cuộc đời anh đã chạm đến, truyền cảm hứng và dẫn dắt. Anh đã rời bỏ những ràng buộc trần thế từng kìm hãm thân thể anh và chạm đến cõi trời, nhưng tinh thần anh vẫn tiếp tục đồng hành cùng chúng ta trên con đường Việt Nam, tiếp nối những dấu chân không thể phai mờ của anh. Và giờ đây, gió chắc đã cuốn mang trái tim anh đi khắp bốn phương trời, để tình yêu vô ngã và niềm đam mê dành cho nhân loại của anh tiếp tục bén rễ và lan tỏa.

Loc Vu, IRCC and Viet Museum Founder, Passed Away at 92

 

Over the past week, the Vietnamese community in San Jose, and across the United States, has come together in writing and reflection to mourn the passing of  Vũ Văn Lộc (Former Colonel of Republic of South Vietnam), a man whose quiet resolve and lifelong dedication helped shape the Vietnamese community in San Jose, and whose influence continues to be felt across generations and across the Vietnamese diaspora.

For more than five decades, Vũ Văn Lộc committed himself to a singular purpose: to help a displaced people rebuild their lives with dignity, and to ensure that their history would not be forgotten.  The institutions he envisioned and founded—most notably the Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center (IRCC) and the Viet Museum—stand today as enduring pillars of San Jose community.  At a time when refugees arrived with little more than memory and hope, these institutions provided not only material assistance, but also something far less tangible and far more enduring: a sense of belonging, and the assurance that their experiences mattered.

Shaped by two wars that defined the fate of the nation, he carried within him a quiet yet profound anguish over the human condition and the fractured fate of the Viet people divided by civil conflict. Vũ understood that survival alone was not enough. A community, he believed, must also remember. Through his writings—marked by human compassion and historical witness—he recorded the painful refugee journey,  the struggle of rebuilding in exile, and the determined emergencof a diasporic identity. In doing so, he gave voice to stories that might otherwise have been silent, stories of loss and perseverance, of assimilation and resilience, and of lives shaped by the long aftermath of war

Many regard the Viet Museum in San Jose as Vũ Văn Lộc’s most impactful legacy. Built nearly from nothing but humility, sustained by conviction rather than resources, it stands today not merely as a collection of artifacts and documents, but as a living space of collective memory.  It is also a bridge between past and future shaping identity and historical awareness of the diaspora journey.

The Legacy of Viet Museum Is Under Threat

In recent online discussions, some opinions have suggested that the disputes surrounding the Viet Museum, which began during Advent of 2024 (Christmas 2024), caused profound emotional distress to Vũ during the final months of his life.

During the Advent season of 2024, the community was deeply shocked when Nguyễn Đức Cường and Phan Quang Tuệ publicly made accusations against Vũ, alleging “impropriety” and the theft of IRCC funds, while simultaneously calling for his expulsion from IRCC and the Viet Museum.  So far Nguyễn and Phan offered no proof of such accusations.   The conflict started when Vũfound out that Cao Hồng who was hired by him to help manage Viet Museum had tried to undermine his authority and wanted to take over IRCC. 

Subsequently, Nguyễn Đức Cường, Phan Quang Tuệ, Phạm Mỹ Linh, and Hồ Quang Nhựt , acting in the name of the Board of Directors, assumed control over the administration of the Viet Museum and IRCC. These developments caused Vũ great sorrow and adversely affected his health; not long afterward, he suffered a cerebrovascular stroke.  Within 8 months, he passed away from complications.

During this same period, Bill Schroh, Director of History Park San Jose—the entity contracted by the City of San Jose to manage History Park—issued a decision, at the request of the board, prohibiting Vũ  from continuing to access the Viet Museum premises, while granting access and operational authority to Cao Hồng.

Vũ sent a letter to Schroh protesting the unlawful denial of his right to access the Viet Museum, and asserting that the IRCC Board of Directors led by Nguyễn Đức Cường lacked legitimacy.  In light of the ongoing dispute, Schroh decided to temporarily close the Viet Museum until the conflict could be resolved.

According to the IRCC Bylaws, IRCC is the legal entity that owns the Viet Museum. The IRCC Board of Directors is established through annual elections conducted by its paid  members in accordance with prescribed procedures. The board represented by Nguyễn Đức Cường and Phan Quang Tuệ did not undergo this electoral process; therefore, this contested board is neither recognized nor legitimately constituted.

At present, based on public records from the California Secretary of State, IRCC has a newly elected Board of Directors chosen by the organization’s members by an election in early 2025.  It has assumed governance responsibilities since then.

The current Chair and President, Quinn Trần—elected by the IRCC Board of Directors, has repeatedly requested intervention from the San Jose City Council to facilitate the reopening of the Viet Museum.  Trần was former high-tech executive as well as former Executive Director of the Bay Area Red Cross.

However, the museum has remained closed for nearly a year, preventing it from participating in commemorative activities and from continuing to provide communal space during the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. 

The question of when the Viet Museum can reopen remains a major concern for the community, particularly in light of a recent email from Bill Schroh to IRCC, in which he indicated that another group may be appointed to manage the museum if the current conflict is not resolved.

The Mayor and City Council have chosen to be silent instead of taking responsiblity to open Viet Museum for the public.  The staffing the museum were mostly IRCC volunteers and the political power that be has absolute influence to force History Park San Jose to open the museum.   San Jose Park & Recreational Services is the agency that holds the contract with History Park San Jose, its management said that they can review its contract with Bill Schroh to see if he has the best interest in serving the community.

Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent, 2025

During Advent, the Catholic Church invites the faithful to prepare their hearts in anticipation of Christmas, the coming of Christ, who brings salvation to humanity. The Gospel according to Matthew reminds us:

“For I am gentle and humble of heart; take my yoke upon you and learn from me, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Jesus calls those who wish to follow Him into eternity to live in love, gentleness, and humility. Those who learn from Him and live according to His teachings will find peace of the soul,  a peace that transcends the trials and tribulations of our daily life.

Although not a Christian, Vũ’s humble and gentle manner earned him widespread trust, forming the foundation for his tireless efforts to build a precious legacy for the community.

That legacy is now being eroded by prolonged conflicts in the final years of his life with individuals whom he once promoted their status in the community and trusted to support his work upon retirement. Phan Quang Tuệ, Nguyễn Đức Cường, and Hồ Quang Nhựt are in their mid-80s.  Phạm Mỹ Linh, the youngest among them, is about to turn sixty years old.  Cao Hồng is in his 70s and was an employee hired by Vũ to work for IRCC.

This writing reflects the opinions and sentiments currently present within the community as they bear witness to a turbulent period of disputes surrounding a communal symbol. While these assessments must be approached with fairness and caution, they nevertheless prompt questions on moral and ethical responsibility toward those who devoted their lives to preserving the shared memory of the community.

His passing during the Advent season, therefore, is not merely a loss, but also an invitation to pause and reflect—on how we safeguard our heritage, how we treat one another, and how we continue the spirit of sacrifice.

It should be remembered that the Viet Museum, is merely a name placed on physical facility owned by the City of San Jose.  The artifacts and documents are the possessions of IRCC. What truly constitutes the Viet Museum does not lie in that physical space or the objects inside, but in the spiritual essence imparted through the quiet sacrifices and steadfast dedication of Vũ Văn Lộc to preserve the community’s heritage and carry it forward across generations.

"On Healing Land, Birds Perch" Film Screening in San Jose

The Vietnam War had produced many narratives in the forms of memoirs, historical accounts, military analyses, political assessments, and fictional novels.  One estimate suggests something like 30,000 books have been written about the topic.  From the fictional "The Quiet American" by Graham Greene, sandwich in between  by the brilliant observations of the Vietnam War from the lens of Vietnam ancient history in "Fire in The Lake" by Frances Fitzgerald, to the Vietnamese diaspora and their postwar angst and gaslighting in "The Sympathizer" by Viet Thanh Nguyen, one can peruse every genre to find whatever interpretations that help make sense of the war and its aftermath.

But there are really only a few photographs that defined the war bookend by photojournalists Eddie Adam's  " Saigon Execution"  and Hubert van Es' photograph of a helicopter on a building in Saigon evacuating people.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, IRCC / Viet Museum in support of AANF and Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong is showing an award winning documentary directed by Naja Pham Lockwood about the postwar tribulations and triumphs of the victims of the iconic photo " Saigon Execution"

David Duong Dropped Defamation Lawsuit Against Hai Huynh

 David Duong, owner of California Waste Solutions, a major trash recycling company in the Bay Area, suddenly droppred his defamation lawsuit against Hai Huynh, a prominent businessman and community activitist in San Jose.

The lawsuit was prompted when in an email trail in early March of last year, Huynh mentioned that Duong is a communist lackey and a pro-communist businessman.  This was in reference to Duong and his many business ventures in Vietnam and close tie with Vietnamese government leadership.  For further reading on the lawsuit -

https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-jose-businessman-hai-huynh-says-he-didnt-defame-embattled-ceo-david-duong-cal-waste-solutions/

On July 3,  the law firm Buchalter APC sent a request for dismissal without any fanfare.  Buchalter is one of the best law firms in US with over 540 lawyers and offices in major cities.   They also represent Duong  for his recent federal criminal bribery indicment.

https://sanjosespotlight.com/san-joses-recycling-hauler-criminally-indicted-on-bribery-charges/ 

In order to save face since he publicized the lawsuit against Huynh heavily for over a year now claiming that he would sue him for every penny,  Duong went on Youtube and declared that he had second thought and did not want to further divided the community.

Huynh is currently countersueing  him for legal fee costs in a frivolous case that many people in the community considered to be an act of intimidation by Duong who has always touted his poltical connection and influence with elected officials. 

Legal Complaints Against Deacon Nhut Ho and My Linh Pham (Valley Health Plan)

The Board of IRCC, the oldest Vietnamese-American nonprofit organization in San jose established in 1976, and its subsidiaries of Viet Museum in San Jose and Dan Sinh Media, just filed a legal complaint against retired Deacon Nhut Quang Ho at the Virgin Mary of La Vang Catholic Church,  My Linh Pham, an educational specialist for Valley Health Plan and founder of a nonprofit, Asian American Community Center of Santa Clara County, for unlawful attempt to take over IRCC and trying to destroy Viet Museum by spreading misinformation that are undermining the IRCC's efforts of preserving Vietnamese refugee history of the last 50 years.   

The complaint is also against Cuong Nguyen (owner of Pho Wagon), Hong Cao and Tue Quang Phan (retired administrative immigration judge).  

Left to righ:  Cuong Nguyen, Tue Phan, Hong Cao

The legal complaint seeks permanent injunction against the "Gang of Five" as they are known in the community from claiming to be board members of IRCC because they were not legally elected by members according to IRCC Bylaws; and therefore, they should not act as representative of IRCC and conduct affairs of the IRCC.  In the court filing, the evidence showed that Nhut Ho, My Linh Pham, Tue Phan, Cuong Nguyen were not elected by members of IRCC as required on an annual basis.  

Moreover, there were attempts to remove the former CEO / President, Loc Vu by spreading misinformation to Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors including asking the county for financial fraud  investigation against Vu.  The complaint was determined to be frivolous without basis.

The legally recognized Board of IRCC as filed under Secretary of State had tried to go through mediation to settle the matter amicable.  However, the"Gang of Five" could not agreed among themselves and decided to terminate the mediation.   

Late last year,  the illegal take over attempt of IRCC by the "Gang of Five" turned ugly as they failed. In a public display of rage,  Tue Quang Phan  wrote an open letter attack Vu, accusing him of stealing money from IRCC as well as nepotism despite the fact that their financial fraud complaint against Vu was rejected.

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

Deacon Nhut Ho is a controversial figure in the community and even within his own congregration https://sanjosespotlight.com/report-san-jose-festival-was-behind-the-scenes-nightmare/

Deacon Nhut Ho  

Some supporters of IRCC were disgusted and suggested such false accusations purposedly trying to damage Loc Vu's legacy should be taken to task with a defamation lawsuit.  

The irony is Loc Vu, 92, spent more than 46 years building IRCC to support the resettlement of the Vietnamese refugees in San Jose.  Along the way, he single handedly founded Viet Museum to help preserve the legacy of the Vietnamese-American experience in California.  

Just last April 27th, in a show of community outpouring support, over 230 people gathered at Santa Clara County auditorium to honor him.   Speaking at the event were  Congressmembers Sam Liccardo and Zoe Logren, State Senator Dave Cortese,  Assemblyman Ash Kalra, SCC Supervisor Betty Duong,  Pulitzer Prize author Viet Thanh Nguyen, novelist Andrew Lam, and many other members of the community. 

Press release by IRCC on the legal complaint.

The civil lawsuit as filed on August 14, 2025.  The full document can be download from the Superior Court of Santa Clara County.

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 keep in your 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.