50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs Vietnamese American Art Exhibition

Vagabond presents "50 Years of HOPE and HA-HAs," a Vietnamese American art exhibition that ​​celebrates the expansiveness of the diaspora, rooted in the DMV. 2025 marks the 50-year anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam. The mainstream perception of Viets has remained unchanged for decades, rooted in the suffering of war, yet nothing about the community is static.

The exhibition offers counter narratives from the 1.5 and 2nd generation of Vietnamese Americans while uplifting the multi-cultural intersectionality of the diaspora. The theme of resilience is interwoven through joy, memorial, heritage, catharsis, solidarity, representation and community. The exhibition features visual art, poetry, zines and music by Anthony Trung Quang Le, Antonius-Tín Bui and Theresa-Xuan Bui, Chanlee Luu, Hien “Kat” Nguyen, Jenn Tran, Jess Trúc My Nguyen, Khanh Aiden Nguyễn, Khánh H. Lê, Khoi Le, Kim Khouan Khong Sandara, Lộc "Leo" Nguyễn, Loc Huynh, Ngoc “Naomi” Le, Philippa Pham Hughes, Phượng-Duyên Hải Nguyễn, shawn williams, Thu Anh Nguyen, Valerie Plesch, superblooom*, Vagabond and Vănguard.

Special Events (Free):

Jan 16 • 5-7 PM • Opening Reception

Jan 25 • 2-4 PM • Poetry event with Chanlee Luu, Philippa Pham Hughes, shawn williams, Thu Anh Nguyen

Feb 8 • 2-4 PM • Zine event with superbloooom*, Smells Like Rice, Vagabond

Mar 1 • 4-6 PM • Musical performance by Jess Trúc My Nguyen and Closing Reception

This exhibition is funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and curated by Anthony Trung Quang Le and Philippa Pham Hughes.

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Host or Publisher Anthony Le