Vietnamese American Services
About Vietnamese American Services
Vietnamese American Services was founded in 2015 by Tho Tran, who arrived in the United States in 2011 and personally experienced the overwhelming challenges that Vietnamese immigrants face—language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and social isolation. Recognizing these struggles were shared across the Silver Spring, MD Vietnamese community, Tho created VAS as a supportive and inclusive space where individuals and families could access vital resources and guidance. Today, VAS stands as the only organization in the region specifically reaching out to the most disadvantaged members of the Vietnamese population through dedicated community outreach and culturally responsive programming. The organization's mission centers on assisting, advocating, educating, and empowering underserved Vietnamese communities by promoting equitable accessibility to comprehensive services. VAS serves thousands of clients—primarily individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds with limited English skills who work long, non-standard hours—with programs that continuously evolve based on direct community feedback. What distinguishes VAS is its grassroots approach: the organization listens to what the community needs most and implements targeted solutions, from healthcare access to community bonding and cultural celebration. Through partnerships with local businesses, schools, faith communities, and organizations, VAS works to improve quality of life while helping Vietnamese families successfully integrate into American society. The dedicated staff and volunteers at VAS remain committed to serving the health and well-being of those most underserved, continuing to grow their impact day by day within the Silver Spring Vietnamese community.