NEWPORT BEACH, CA – The Vietnamese American National Gala™ (VANG™) has now become a biennial tradition and has attracted a cast of Who’s Who in the Vietnamese American Community and national leaders to Co-Chair the 5th Biennial Golden Torch Awards™, which will be held from May 22-24, 2009, at The Beverly Hilton (Home of the Golden Globe Awards®) in Beverly Hills, CA.  

The 5th Biennial Golden Torch Awards™ Gala dinner is part of a three-day celebration that includes the VANG Celebrity Golf Classic, Welcome Reception, Leadership Conference, Hollywood City Tour and Gala dinner on Saturday, May 23, 2009; and a Sunday Farewell Brunch. The roster of Superstars includes the following Co-Chairs:

• Ms. Kieu Chinh, Legendary Vietnamese American Actress;
• Ms. Chloe Dao, Designer, Lot 8 Boutique & Winner of Project Runway (Season 2)
• Mr. Rob Lam, Executive Chef, Butterfly Restaurant, Rising Star 2006;
• Ms. Duy-Loan Le, Senior Fellow, Texas Instruments;
• Mr. Charlie Nguyen, Director & Producer, Hung Vuong 18, the Rebel;
• Mr. Dat Nguyen, First Vietnamese American NFL Player- Dallas Cowboys;
• Mr. Dustin Nguyen, Actor, 21 Jump Street, The Rebel, Little Fish;
• Mr. Khoa Nguyen, US Olympic – Table Tennis;
• Ms. Madison Nguyen, Councilwoman City of San Jose, District 7;
• Mr. Timothy Linh Nguyen, Director, 3 Seasons, Green Dragon, Powder Blue;
• Ambassador Sichan Siv, US Representative to the United Nations (Retired);
• Mr. Ham Tran, Director, Journey From The Fall;
• Assembly member Van T. Tran, California State Legislature, 68th Assembly District;
• Ms. Bao Tranchi, Designer, Dress profiled at The Smithsonian; and
• Dr. Eugene Trinh, First Vietnamese American Astronaut (NASA)
• Tila Tequila, model, actress and entertainer
• Mr. Dat Phan, Comedian and Winner of Last Comic Standing (Season 1)
• Ms. Ngoan Le, City of Chicago, Government
• Mr. Trung Dung, Fogbreak Software
• Mr. Viet Dinh, Former U.S. Assistant Attorney General (2001-2003)
• Honorable Judge Nho Trong Nguyen, Superior Court Judge for Orange County, CA
• U.S. Congressman Joseph Cao, 2nd District
• U.S. Congressman Ed Royce, 40th District
• Antonio Villaraigosa, Mayor of Los Angeles

VANG is also awaiting numerous other celebrities and dignitaries confirmation. 

The Vietnamese American National Gala™ (VANG™) is a national biennial celebration of Vietnamese heritage and pride, which is held in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration in May of each year, which honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contributions to America.  

VANG™ is the premier Vietnamese American gathering in the nation. This Oscar®-like festivity exhibits the Vietnamese American Community’s celebration of professional achievements and community contributions.  The formal black-tie dinner gala brings together thousands of elected officials, corporate sponsors, community and business leaders, and Vietnamese American luminaries – all who come together to share one common vision: To honor America’s best and brightest.