NEWPORT BEACH CA- April 15, 2009- One of the premier Vietnamese American gatherings in the nation, The Vietnamese American National Gala™ (VANG™), is pleased to congratulate and announce the Golden Torch Award Honorees for 2009 which are as follows:

• Honorary Vietnamese American- PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
• Business/Entrepreneur Award- SUGARBOWL BAKERY
• Achievement in Politics- CONGRESSMAN ANH JOSEPH CAO
• National Leadership- UVSA of SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
• Diversity Pillar- WELLS FARGO
• Student of the Year- MINH NGUYEN

The above winners will be honored during the 5t h Biennial Golden Torch Awards Dinner Gala to be held on May 23, 2009 at the prestigious Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, which is home to the Golden Globe® Awards. The Golden Torch Awards Gala will be broadcasted on National Television, Cable Television and streamed live on the internet.

VANG™ 2009 is biennial celebration held in conjunction with the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a month-long celebration in May, which honors the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and recognizes their contributions to America.

For more information, please visit www.vangusa.org or e-mail info@vangusa.com .