Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom flag displayed for AAPI Heritage month

OPTUM HEALTH CARE

The Optum Health Care Center has been displaying international flags as part of its salute to cultures of the world. The Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag will be displayed there in June to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Vietnamese American Club in Leisure World provided the flag, which has a history rooted in peace and freedom.

The 1954 Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two independent and separated countries, Communist North Vietnam and the the Republic of South Vietnam. It represents peace and freedom and was supported by the U.S. and Allies in the war against communist North Vietnam, according to Loc Ton, president of the Vietnamese America Club in Leisure World. The Vietnam War ended in 1975 with over 58,000 Americans and more than 2 million Vietnamese dead. For millions of Vietnamese refugees around the world, including Vietnamese Americans in Leisure World, the Flag of Republic of South Vietnam represents freedom, democracy and human rights. The flag was designed in 1948 and consists of a yellow background with three red horizontal stripes through the middle. The Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag was recognized by the City of Seal Beach on July 25, 2014. Vietnamese refugees around the world have been successful in convincing localities and municipalities in their host nations to accept and display this Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag, instead of the flag of the communist Vietnam, on celebratory occasions.

—from the Vietnamese American Club