Vietnamese cooking keeps him connected

Despite sophomore Leon Vo’s upbringing in the United States, his passion for Vietnamese cooking keeps him connected to his culture.

“Food is one of my favorite things, and it is the most prevalent part of Vietnamese culture in my life,” Vo said. “It keeps me connected to my family.”

Vo recalls making foods like banh mi, a Vietnamese sandwich, and pho, a noodle soup dish, with his relatives when he was little, creating a strong bond with his family.

Vo also loves the holidays his family celebrates, like the Lunar New Year, one of the most prominent Vietnamese holidays. This day consists of good food, gifts, and family time. Usually, there are big family parties where they come together and celebrate the arrival of spring on the Vietnamese calendar.

“I love that we emphasize family,” Vo said. “I think it is one of the most important things we have, and we should appreciate them.”

He wishes people knew more about his culture.

“I wish people knew more about our cultural practices, especially with religion. I think it teaches a lot of core values,” Vo said.

Vietnamese culture mainly practices Buddhism, which is also ingrained into the culture. Buddhism especially values patience and generosity. 

Outside of school, Vo partakes in the Korean martial art Tang Soo Do. He believes the practice instills discipline and helps kids stay active.

“I’m big on sports and athletics, so when my parents offered lessons, I jumped at the chance to exercise and learn more about Asian culture,” Vo said.

He makes sure to prioritize his academics over anything else.

“Like many other families, my parents came here in the 1990s for the chance to thrive,” Vo said. “I don’t want their hard work to go to waste, so I’m trying to do what I can for their efforts to be worthwhile.”