Skip to main content

Vietnamese American Service Center Provides Resources and Enrichment to the Community

The Vietnamese American Service Center (VASC) is a state-of-the-art facility that serves as a hub for the Vietnamese-American community and other residents where the County of Santa Clara provides a range of services in a culturally relevant and accessible fashion.

People peel onions in a kitchen.
Volunteers prepare food at the Vietnamese American Service Center for Senior Nutrition Program clients and VASC visitors.

The County built this innovative facility, which opened in 2022, after conducting a health assessment of the Vietnamese-American community that revealed disparities and challenges in mental health, health care, physical health, intergenerational conflict, and difficulty in navigating existing County services.

The VASC, located in the heart of Little Saigon in East San José, was designed to address these health and social disparities by providing integrated, accessible health and human services along with a range of activities and opportunities for social connections and enrichment, from morning exercises and yoga to table tennis and ballroom dancing.

The 37,000-square-foot community center provides access to County services including:

  • The Senior Nutrition Program 
  • Behavioral Health Peer Navigation and Support Services
  • Social Services Benefits Application Services Assistance
  • Community Health and Wellness Programming

Visitors to the VASC may also take advantage of primary care, lab, dental and pharmacy services, among other resources.

Aerial photo of the Vietnamese American Service Center.
Aerial view of the Vietnamese American Service Center in San Jose.

HaNhi Tran, senior manager of the VASC, said she is proud that the facility has become a trusted gateway for County services and community resources.

“Every day, the VASC is abuzz with activity. VASC is like a second home for so many community members," Tran said. "They show up even before our doors open to mingle with friends, spend the morning physically active in our wellness activities, stay for lunch, and gather here with their families to celebrate traditions across generations. Many have remained healthy, strong, and culturally connected due to the programs, services, and connections they’ve made at the VASC."

In the 2023-24 fiscal year (FY 23-24), the VASC received 30,380 customer service requests and 1,974 service navigation requests. In addition:

  • The VASC pharmacy filled 41,296 prescriptions and administered 325 immunizations
  • More than 7,126 people took part in classes and workshops (such as English as a second language and diabetes self-management)
  • 18,831 people participated in wellness events. 

Other highlights from FY 23-24 include:

  • The VASC laboratory saw 1,103 patients 
  • The VASC dental clinic saw 976 patients
  • The VASC behavioral health clinic helped 312 clients
  • The Senior Nutrition Program served 545 meals per day

To learn more about the VASC, visit the facility's webpage.