Vietnamese American Roundtable
About Vietnamese American Roundtable
Vietnamese American Roundtable (VAR) is a community-driven 501(c)3 non-profit organization based in San Jose, CA, dedicated to building a strong and unified Vietnamese American community that improves quality of life for all residents. Founded on the principle that community members should have a voice in decisions affecting their lives—from local to national levels—VAR empowers individuals through education, organizing, and collaborative action. The organization is led by young professionals and community representatives who volunteer their time to research, develop, and support programs that address issues including immigration, housing, human rights, and environmental conservation. What distinguishes VAR is its multigenerational approach: by spanning different generations of Vietnamese Americans, the organization brings authentic cultural understanding combined with contemporary American perspectives to every initiative. VAR's history of engagement demonstrates deep community roots, from hosting family-oriented programming like the annual Lunar New Year celebration and Black April commemoration to creating spaces for cross-generational learning through cooking classes and cultural events. The organization's partnerships with local institutions reflect its commitment to environmental stewardship, public health, and cultural preservation. Through initiatives like the VAR on AIR podcast and the Cơm Gia Đình family cookbook, VAR celebrates Vietnamese heritage while fostering connections among community members. By choosing to engage rather than remain apathetic about issues affecting their neighborhoods, VAR members work collaboratively to ensure the Vietnamese American voice shapes the future of San Jose.