The Vietnamese Community of Austin Texas (VACAT)
501(c)(3)Non-Profit Organization established in 1997
The Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas (VACAT) thrives under the leadership of Anh Lan Pham, Marketing Director & Board Member.
Anh's strategic efforts secured major grants and exceeded fundraising goals, fueling a wide range of programs, cultural events and scholarships. She’s transformed VACAT's online presence through a redesigned website with SEO optimization, revitalized social media channels, and a monthly newsletter featuring local events, jobs, and resources.
Her most impactful achievement? Raising over $175,000 to launch programs like the accessible Yoga & Meditation Program with Black Swan Yoga, promoting mental and physical well-being within the community as well as cultural events like the Tet Festival and upcoming Vietnamese American Cultural Celebration.
Recognized by state and local elected officials, including the State of Texas, the City of Austin, and the City of Pflugerville. VACAT’s contributions were recently featured in the Austin American Statesman and was showcased in the "Health Is a Human Right: Achieving Health Equity" exhibit at the CDC Museum in Atlanta, Georgia (2023). In recognition of her work, Anh Lan Pham was appointed to the Board of Directors, making her the youngest leader to serve the Board since 1997.
May 17th is officially Vietnamese American Day in the State of Texas
Last year, through the collective efforts of the Vietnamese American communities in Austin, Houston, Dallas and House Representative Hubert Vo, we achieved a historic victory and secured the passage of a bill officially recognizing May 17th as Vietnamese American Day in Texas!
This day stands as a powerful testament to the collective strength and passion of Vietnamese Americans across the state of Texas. We've left an incredible mark on history, forging a path towards strong representation and well-deserved recognition within the Asian community.
Accessible Yoga & Meditation Program
Created by Anh Lan Pham, the Accessible Yoga & Meditation program was launched to make yoga more accessible to the Vietnamese community to improve mental and heart health. Through the successful writing and execution of a grant proposal, she secured funding specifically aimed at removing financial and language barriers associated with yoga practice.
This impactful program has distributed over 250 free yoga mats, 250 free classes, free online classes and resources to participants. Additionally, Vietnamese-led yoga classes were created, featuring English subtitles for inclusivity. These classes can be accessed anytime and anywhere, ensuring participants have the flexibility to practice yoga at their own pace and convenience.
A valuable partnership with Black Swan Yoga (a donation based studio) was established, offering over 150 free yoga classes across their five studios. This collaboration provided in-person instruction and a welcoming environment for Vietnamese Americans to experience the benefits of yoga.
Last year for AAPI month, Anh designed a room dedicated to Vietnamese culture at Celebrasia, an annual event from The City of Austin's Asian American Resource Center (AARC) dedicated to showcasing Asian culture . This immersive space provided attendees with a unique opportunity to explore the rich traditions, culture and holidays of Vietnam!
Recognizing the power of interactive learning and augmented reality, she created this Augmented Reality (AR) photo booth for the Vietnamese cultural room. This innovative photo-booth allows attendees to virtually "dress up" in traditional Vietnamese attire such as the conical hat (nón lá) , try on the traditional Ao Dai, and capture these experiences through photos and videos to share later!
Documentary Feature with APIAHF
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) partnered with Anh to feature the Vietnamese American Community of Austin, Texas (VACAT) in their documentary. This documentary explores the vibrant cultural programming and events offered by AAPI and NH/PI communities across the United States.
Anh understands the power of multimedia engagement. For the most recent Tet (Vietnamese New Year) celebration, she created short and long form videos showcasing the event's highlights. This video features traditional Vietnamese music, dance performances, and joyful community interactions, effectively capturing the essence of the celebration and served as a powerful marketing tool.
