OneVietnam Hosts New York Launch Event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ONEVIETNAM NETWORK HOSTS NEW YORK LAUNCH EVENT

Program Celebrated Successes of Vietnamese-Americans in New York

New York, New York — September 23, 2011 – OneVietnam Network, a Ford Foundation funded organization, celebrated the launch of its New York Chapter on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at an event in The Chrysler Building.

Launched in 2010, OneVietnam is one of the largest online Vietnamese-American networks in the United States with more than 40,000 subscribers and members.  The organization connects Vietnamese Americans to philanthropic projects via an online network and is dedicated to raising awareness of social issues in Vietnam, including human trafficking, Agent Orange disabilities and natural disaster relief.

“OneVietnam is a thriving community of individuals who share a common heritage and sense of belonging.  The dedication and commonalities of our members fuel philanthropic efforts for those less fortunate in Vietnam.  By launching a presence on the East Coast, we hope to bring attention to the many successes of Vietnamese-Americans and encourage greater involvement within the community,” said James Bao, Co-Founder and Executive Director of OneVietnam Network.

The New York Event was attended by more than 220 people.  The event celebrated the successes of the Vietnamese population in the US, specifically those based in New York working in the fields of finance, communications, fashion & beauty and hospitality among others.  The organization also honored CBS News anchor Betty Nguyen for her philanthropic work in the US and Vietnam, specifically with Help the Hungry.  The event was hosted at global financial communications firm Grayling’s New York offices in the iconic Chrysler Building and made possible by donations from Grayling, California-based seafood company H&N Foods International, design firm Rappy & Co. and printing firm Village Print.  Food, beverages and gifts were generously provided by notable Vietnamese Chef Michael Bao, Tiger Beer, New Zealand-based vineyard Mt Beautiful and Kiehl’s Since 1851.

Bao concluded, “The event was an amazing movement of people with many different backgrounds coming together because of shared hopes for the future of the Vietnamese community.  If we work to realize the full potential of everyone at the event, we can certainly make a difference for our own communities and for the communities in Vietnam.”

About OneVietnam Network

OneVietnam is a Ford Foundation supported non-pro?t organization based in San Francisco, CA. Launched in 2010, OneVietnam is an online network that allows Vietnamese expatriates around the world to take deliberate action to build their community where they are and abroad. It’s social networking with a cause. For more information, please visit www.onevietnam.org.