At the age of 4, I found my love for music, singing, and performing. Wearing a little ao dai, I sang my heart out. Throughout the years, I gained hundreds of ao dais. When asked, “do you have a connection to your áo dài?“ I answered “yes !".
As an Asian American, born and raised in California, I've never really had the opportunity to touch back to my Vietnamese roots other than the occasional trip back to vietnam. I am thankful for the ao dai because, as the traditional garment of my motherland, I am able to embrace my culture through this two-paneled garment. The ao dai makes me feel beautiful and confident because it shows who I am and where I’m from. In a country that is considered a melting pot, it’s easy to forget one’s roots and assimilate into American culture but the ao dai makes me remember who I am, where I'm from, and especially the hardships my parents went through to give me this life.
Additionally, I'm thankful for the Vietnamese community that has contributed greatly to my growth as a person of society through volunteering opportunities.
If this story resonates deeply with your heart, please join us in extending a helping hand to the vulnerable orphans and disabled children in Vietnam through the donation link here .
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