Vietnamese Remembrance and Resilience in Colorado

Colorado Governor Jared Polis and the State of Colorado officially proclaimed April 30th as Vietnamese Remembrance and Resilience Day during a ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol on April 15, 2025. The proclamation, authored by Refugees + Immigrants United Executive Director and Vietnamese refugee Nga Vương-Sandoval, was presented to her in the presence of community leaders and supporters. 

The Proclamation recognizes the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Vietnamese community, ensuring that the memory of their struggles and triumphs will continue to be honored across the state. This momentous occasion not only served as a remembrance but also as a tribute to the enduring strength of the Vietnamese refugee experience and their lasting contributions to the fabric of Colorado and the nation. 

Notably, this recognition marks the first time that April 30th and the Vietnamese community have been acknowledged at a statewide level in Colorado.

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Panel discussion moderated by Ndeye Ndao, RIU Advisor (left), featuring distinguished Vietnamese refugees: RIU Executive Director Nga Vương-Sandoval, Buddhist monk Thầy Phổ Khai, and Thai Nguyễn, Executive Director at Kaizen Food Rescue.

Refugees + Immigrants United (RIU) and Sắp Sửa Restaurant co-hosted a moving event on April 27th mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the Việt Nam War and honor the lives of Vietnamese refugees who fled and as well as those perished due to the conflict during their journey to safety. This day of reflection commemorates the journey of over three million displaced Vietnamese refugees who were forced to leave their homeland. 

The event showcased a poignant video that illuminated the perilous journeys of Vietnamese refugees, shedding light on the stories of those who survived, as well as the many who tragically lost their lives along the way. A powerful panel discussion followed, moderated by Ndeye Ndao, RIU Advisor, and featuring distinguished Vietnamese refugees: RIU Executive Director Nga Vương-Sandoval, Buddhist monk Thầy Phổ Khai, and Thai Nguyễn, Executive Director at Kaizen Food Rescue.

A deeply emotional moment of silence offered attendees the space to reflect and mourn the losses endured by the Vietnamese community. In a powerful display of remembrance and resilience, both of these events not only honored the courage and sacrifice of Vietnamese refugees but also underscored the profound impact their enduring spirit has had on shaping the diverse and vibrant fabric of our society ensuring that their stories, struggles, and triumphs will never be forgotten.