Vietnamese Community Events in Chicago, IL

A once-in-a-lifetime concert event celebrating Vietnamese American heritage starring Carol Kim and a talented ensemble from New Orleans Step back in time with us! Saigon Jazz Revival features legendary Vietnamese singer Carol Kim with a talented jazz ensemble from New Orleans for a live performance. This event kicks off the Vietnamese Association of Illinois 50-year anniversary celebration! HAI QUÊ, MỘT HỘI (Two homes, one VAI) honors those that carried this community forward and uplift those who will continue leading it into the future. This collaborative project brings together artists across oceans and generations to celebrate jazz and its influence on Vietnamese and Chicago culture. Rooted in the sounds and spirit of old Saigon and reimagined in New Orleans, this performance celebrates our diverse backgrounds, expansive homelands, and shared love of timeless songs. Starring Vietnam’s Queen of Soul, Carol Kim, this concert features musicians from Vietnam, Honduras, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, and New Orleans and will showcase original collaborations with various Vietnamese diasporic artists as well as dynamic re-creations of Vietnamese folk songs. Saigon Jazz Revival is not just a moment of nostalgia; it is a living collaboration celebrating our Vietnamese American community past and present. Join us for a one-night only portal into the electric nightlife and emotional landscape of Old Saigon celebrating continuity, migration, cultural memory, and our collective joy. -- CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MARION HOANG NGOC HILL MUSIC DIRECTORS: STEVE LANDS, OSCAR ROSSIGNOLI VOCALISTS: CAROL KIM, TRACE LE -- Visit our website or follow us on Instagram to be the first to know of our future 50th anniversary celebrations! Interested in sponsoring Saigon Jazz Revival? Please contact Tran Ma or call (331) 806-3155 for more information. ABOUT THE VIETNAMESE ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS The Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI) is one of the largest and oldest Southeast Asian refugee organizations in the United States. This year is VAI’s 50th anniversary in solidarity with our community. Since its founding in 1976, VAI has been shaped and sustained by the efforts of community members from different generations and waves of migration—each with their own distinct connection to the community. The first wave of Vietnamese refugees began to organize and help people resettled in Illinois following the Fall of Saigon and created an organization to help fellow Vietnamese people, anticipating the influx of those who were to come. Today, we continue to serve our community to fit changing needs through direct service and community organizing.

Since its establishment in 1976, the Vietnamese Association of Illinois has grown into a vital community institution serving Chicago, IL with a steadfast commitment to unity, mutual assistance, and cultural preservation. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, VAI's mission centers on fostering stronger relationships among Vietnamese Americans while welcoming and supporting people of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds. The organization was founded on the principle of mutual assistance spirit—the belief that community members thrive when they support one another through life's transitions and challenges. Over nearly five decades, VAI has touched the lives of thousands of Vietnamese Americans and members of other ethnic communities, helping families navigate resettlement, secure employment, access healthcare, pursue educational goals, and maintain their cultural identity. What distinguishes VAI is its holistic approach to community development, addressing not just immediate needs but also long-term integration and success. The organization recognizes that thriving communities require attention to youth development, senior care, business entrepreneurship, and cultural continuity across generations. By expanding from its original Uptown Chicago base to establish a DuPage County satellite office in 2016, VAI demonstrates its commitment to serving the broader Illinois Vietnamese American community. The organization actively collaborates with other Vietnamese groups and community partners, strengthening networks of support and advocacy. VAI's work reflects a deep understanding that cultural heritage, community solidarity, and practical assistance are interconnected—each essential to building vibrant, resilient communities in Chicago and throughout Illinois.