About 50 people gathered in the Hughes-Trigg Student Center west and central ballrooms for the SMU Vietnamese Student Association’s (VSA) ninth annual Pho Night this past Sunday.
Pho Night, which showcases Vietnamese culture and cuisine, centered around the serving of pho, a Vietnamese dish that consists of noodles, various combinations of meat, vegetables and an assortment of Vietnamese spices.
Tickets for Pho Night were $7 before the event and $10 at the door. All proceeds will be donated to Sunflower Mission, a U.S. based non-profit organization that strives to improve “the lives of the people in Vietnam, mainly through educational assistance programs.” VSA is sponsoring a student majoring in mechanical engineering.
VSA officers and volunteers spent much of the night on the Hughes-Trigg patio boiling water and preparing the pho for attendees.
Sophomore Jessica Sun said that the last Pho Night marked her first time ever eating pho.
“Since then, I’ve just been trying all different types of Vietnamese food,” she said.
Sophomore Hannah Park needed no convincing to attend the event. “I love pho,” she said.
Members of the Hong Gia dance team provided the night’s entertainment by performing a traditional lion dance for a delighted audience.
According to VSA Vice-President Khang Le, the lion dance is “an ancient tradition from dynastic China, used to bring in fortune, good luck and prosperity.”
Three students modeled traditional Vietnamese formal wear,audience.
According to VSA Vice-President Khang Le, the lion dance is “an ancient tradition from dynastic China, used to bring in fortune, good luck and prosperity.”
Three students modeled traditional Vietnamese formal wear, treating attendees to a fashion show.
Pho Night’s activities concluded with a round of open karaoke. President Ankita Krishnan kicked off the performances with a rendition of Jason Mraz’s song, “I’m Yours.”
Although many people raved about the pho, several students stressed that the food was not their only incentive for attending the event.
“I don’t even like pho, but I’m here. I just wanted to experience the culture,” sophomore Grace Choi said.
“This is my first VSA event, and I thought it would be nice to learn about someone else’s culture by coming here,” junior Courtney Kelly said.
VSA meets every other Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Hughes-Trigg porticos BCD. Students interested in joining the organization should contact Krishnan at [email protected].
