On October 18, 2025, Vietcetera Open LA 2025 officially took place at the Los Angeles Performing Arts Conservatory, gathering nearly 100 guests and 12 speakers - outstanding Vietnamese figures across creativity, arts, fashion, cuisine, and branding.
Amid the heart of the global film capital, familiar images of the áo dài, the nón lá, and the sound of the Vietnamese language echoing through the hall brought a sense of pride and belonging. These were not only cultural symbols, but living proof of a global Vietnamese generation, bold enough to embrace their identity and turn it into a distinctive strength.
Last year, the Vietcetera Open event arrived in Houston. This year, it arrived in Los Angeles, home to one of the largest Vietnamese communities in the world, continuing its mission to expand global connections.
Coincidentally, Vietcetera Open LA 2025 also took place alongside a historic milestone for Vietnamese music: Hà Anh Tuấn Live Concert in Los Angeles “Sketch A Rose", marking the very first Vietnamese performance at the iconic Dolby Theatre.
With the theme “Made of Vietnam", Vietcetera Open LA 2025 celebrated three key perspectives: The Heritage Edge, The Global Leap, Future Forward .
Three perspectives, but one shared spirit: Vietnam is not just a point of origin, it is the very fabric that shapes every stride forward.
Stories of Resilience And Creativity
Opening the event, Chris Do, CEO & Founder of The Futur, delivered his keynote “Confessions of a Recovering Graphic Designer” — a personal journey from an immigrant boy afraid of disappointing his parents to an Emmy Award-winning designer and global educator.
“Sometimes, to change the world, all you need is to tell your own story, as truthfully as you can,” Chris shared.
He spoke about his process of “recovery” from the obsession with aesthetics, to learn how to “redesign” from within:
“I was a recovering designer — I had to let go of my fixation on visuals to rediscover purpose, culture, and authenticity. When you know who you are, the world will listen.” — Chris Do
Actor, writer, and producer Scott Ly, known for A Tourist’s Guide to Love on Netflix, spoke about Authentic Screens: Bringing Our Whole Selves to Hollywood, from martial arts discipline to the warmth of Eastern compassion.
From Local Beats to Global Stages
In the panel “From Local Beats to Global Stages,” Johnny D Nguyen (Co-Founder & CEO, VietQ Media), Dan Nguyen (Demonslayer - visual artist, creative director, curator, DJ & music producer), and Tim Le (Festival Director, Goldenvoice/AEG) shared their journeys of bringing Vietnamese music and art to the world.
Johnny reflected, “I learned to speak and connect with my culture through karaoke sessions with my father. Music became my strongest bond to the Vietnamese community.”
When asked what being Vietnamese means to them, the three artists answered:
- Johnny D Nguyen: “I use my media company to create space for Vietnamese art and creativity to thrive. Vietnamese identity is inseparable from who I am.”
- Dan Nguyen: “Whatever I do, there’s always something distinctly Vietnamese about it, from our resilience, our sense of community, to how we cherish family.”
- Tim Le: “Being Vietnamese taught me to believe in myself, to take risks, and to seize opportunities.”
In the fireside “Heritage in Fashion: Stitching Identity into the Áo Dài,” designer Thai Nguyen appeared in a custom piece embroidered with the words “Áo dài – The Beauty of Modern Vietnam.” “I want the world to see the beauty of Vietnam not only through the silhouette of the áo dài, but through the pride we wear with it,” Thai shared.
For Thai, his Vietnamese heritage is the foundation of his career, the fabric that sets him apart in the global fashion landscape.
Culture As The Bond That Unites
One of the most beloved moments of the event was “A Taste of Ambition” — a conversation between Andy Nguyen, the renowned California-based restaurateur, and Kenneth Nguyen, host of The Vietnamese Podcast, a series with hundreds of episodes exploring art, cinema, language, history, and identity.
During the talk, Andy recounted his journey from small eateries in Little Saigon to restaurant chains embraced by young Americans, and shared: “I don’t just want to sell food; I want to tell the Vietnamese story through every dish.”
Next, in the fireside Classical Roots, Global Stage: Vision for An Inclusive World, speakers Chuong Bui – Co-Founder & Partner, Counsel for Creators LLP, and Trang Trinh – Concert Pianist, Educator, and Executive Director of Chapel Sound Art Foundation, shared their journey of preserving classical values in a globalized world, and how music serves as a bridge connecting cultures.
For Trang Trinh, being Vietnamese is something she carries in every note she plays: “Being Vietnamese, to me, means growing up in a web of close and supportive relationships. It’s something truly beautiful — to live within that sense of connection and to cherish it with everyone around you.”
In the final keynote, Ms. Tran Tue Tri, author of “Brand Vietnam – The Moment,” offered a strategic perspective on how Vietnam can emerge as a leading wellness and creative destination in Asia.
This message encapsulates the spirit of Vietcetera Open: honoring Vietnamese individuals who carry national values into every story they tell, across every field.
A Beautiful Connection: From Vietcetera Open To Sketch A Rose
As the conversations concluded, the same evening saw Sketch A Rose continue the spirit of Vietcetera Open — where music became the language bridging Vietnamese culture with the world.
Conclusion
Vietcetera Open LA 2025 painted a vibrant picture: from creativity and the arts to the global reach of Vietnamese identity. More than that, the event became a space for the Vietnamese community in Los Angeles to connect, share, and inspire.
Vietcetera sincerely thanks all speakers, partners, and attendees for making this a truly memorable event.