May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time set aside each year to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of AANHPI communities across the country. In the School District of Lancaster, we embrace this opportunity not only to celebrate but to educate, ensuring that students and families of all backgrounds feel represented and valued within our schools and community.
This year, AANHPI Heritage Month took on a special significance as Lancaster came together at the Ware Center to reflect on a pivotal moment in history: 50 years since the fall of Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of a massive global refugee crisis. The event invited attendees to honor Vietnamese refugees and their families through storytelling, music, and photography offering a space to reflect on the sacrifices and resilience of those who rebuilt their lives far from home.
The evening featured Len Tran, a former refugee, chemical engineer, and author, who shared his deeply personal journey of survival and hope. As an eight-year-old boy, Tran fled Vietnam with his father on a small fishing boat, leaving behind his mother and siblings out of fear that the entire family might perish at sea. What followed was a grueling 21-day ordeal on the South China Sea, facing hunger, fear, and uncertainty before being rescued and taken to safety. Tran’s story, filled with both pain and perseverance, resonated deeply with the audience. He emphasized the importance of passing these stories down to future generations, so they understand the immense sacrifices their ancestors made to build a better life. His memoir, Split Up by the Sea: A Vietnamese Refugee’s Memoir of Survival and Hope, offers a window into that journey and was available at the event for those wishing to explore more.
Adding a personal and emotional touch to the evening, Lancaster’s own Panda (Lê Thanh Trúc) performed “Có Những Người Anh” (“There Are Brothers”) by VÕ ĐỨC HẢO. The song, a moving tribute to those who carry their homeland in their hearts, offered a powerful reminder of how music can capture feelings that words alone cannot fully express especially for those living far from the place they once called home.
We are proud to highlight the contributions of our own Communications Specialist, Brian “bri” Nguyen, who shared his personal journey of rediscovery through his photography exhibit, Đường Về Quê Hương: Hello Vietnam. Displayed in the Ware Center lobby during the event, the exhibit featured photos from Nguyen’s Baldwin Leadership trip to Vietnam, supported by the Lancaster County Community Foundation. The trip gave Nguyen an opportunity to explore his family’s home community and document the places, people, and everyday moments that helped him reconnect with their heritage.
In Nguyen’s own words: “It reflects the process of reconnection, not just with a place, but with memory, heritage, and identity. Each photograph in the gallery was taken during that trip, and together they offer a window into the Vietnam I saw layered, complex, beautiful, and deeply human.” Their work invites viewers to see Vietnam through his eyes: a country shaped by both its history and its vibrant present, full of life, strength, and nuance.
Events like this serve as a meaningful reminder that heritage is not static it lives and evolves through the stories we tell, the art we create, and the ways we honor those who came before us. As we look ahead to the full Our Journeys exhibit coming to the Ware Center in February 2026, we are committed to continuing these conversations and ensuring that the diverse histories within our community are shared and celebrated. t SDoL, we are proud to foster an environment where cultural heritage is embraced and every student’s story matters. For more photos of the evening, visit us on Facebook.