At a glance
The Vietnamese Student Association’s annual cultural pageant, Phở King: “Creases of Us,” celebrates Vietnamese identity,… Read full summary
- Funding received
- 2025-2026
- Mini
- Awarded
- $3,532
- Funding partners
-
- Services and Activities Fee (SAF)
This photo captures the Phở King contestants debuting on stage together for this first time. After months of preparation and hard work, they open the cultural show with a modern/cultural dance which sets the tone for the rest of the night.
The photo captures the moment the PK contestants were overcome with joy for their peer, Kit, who had just won the pageant. They form a ball of embrace, showcasing the genuine support, happiness, and bonds they developed have with one another.
This photo is of one of the many dance performances featured throughout Phở King. Ranging from modern to traditional dance, dancers prepare for months using traditional Vietnamese fans in tandem with modern Vietnamese music to deliver vibrant cultural performances.
To celebrate and memorialize the months of hard work that went into producing and putting on Phở King, all of the contestants and entire VSAUW officer team come together for a team photo at the end of the show.
As part of Phở King, contestants answer questions that are reflective of their identity, journey, and year’s theme. In this photo, contestant Eric confidently and elaborately answers his question as he recalls his Phở King journey.
The Vietnamese Student Association’s annual cultural pageant, Phở King: “Creases of Us,” celebrates Vietnamese identity, heritage, and personal growth through performances and storytelling. As VSAUW’s largest event, it creates a space for students and the broader community to reflect on their experiences and connect through culture. The event highlights themes of individuality and resilience while fostering community engagement and cultural appreciation. Funding will support venue and practice room reservation costs.
The Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW), is a registered student organization dedicated to fostering community among students and the greater Seattle community. Since the 1980s, VSAUW has engaged our members culturally, civically, and socially, ultimately to make an impact on our campus and community.
Each year, VSAUW holds a cultural pageant celebrating Vietnamese identity and heritage. The female-identifying pageant being Hoa Khôi Liên Trường (HK), and the male-identifying pageant being Phở King (PK). As our largest annual event, this pageant highlights Vietnamese culture through performances, skits, and passion, with an emphasis on growth. This year, VSAUW presents the male-identifying pageant, Phở King: "Creases of Us."
The theme, “Creases of Us,” encourages the audience to think of our lives, like origami, meticulously folded. When unfolded, each crease reveals a story of patience, growth, and individuality. Every decision, every thought, every encounter, becomes another fold shaping who we are. By reflecting on where we have been, embracing who we are, and recognizing the influence our story leaves behind, we form creases that are not about perfection, but about shaping pieces of our lives. Through this program, we strive to provide a space for our contestants and audience to delve deeper into the creases of their lives and connect those experiences with the community.
Undeniably, putting on a show of this caliber requires sufficient financial funds. Based on the previous showcases, we anticipate the cost for PK to be $8,655.16. This total includes room bookings, stage materials, props, decorations, filming, and other necessary expenses to put on a high-quality production. While we are actively seeking funding for the show through sponsorships and fundraising, we need CSF's support in helping fund one of our largest expenses which is the reservation for Kane Hall, where our show will be located, and other room bookings which totals to $3,352.
The CSF grant is an opportunity for our RSO to showcase our culture through the light of our contestants, and for our community to feel empowered by its culture, heritage, and traditions. Overall, it shines a light on what it means to be Vietnamese. Through this grant, we will continue to recognize the CSF’s value and initiative through spotlights on promotional opportunities.
Andrew Tran
Project lead
- aqat@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 2 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW)
Catherine Phan
Team member
- ctp23@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 2 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW)
Nick Clarke
Team member
- nclarke4@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 3 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW)
Kit Nguyen
Team member
- kit1011@uw.edu
- Affiliation
- Student
- Years
- 1 year(s) remaining at UW
- Affiliated groups
- Vietnamese Student Association at the University of Washington (VSAUW)
Renee Infelise
Assistance Director + SAO Advisor
- reneei@uw.edu
- Affiliation and department
- SAO
- Stakeholder approval form
Request amount and budget
Plans for financial longevity
After CSF Funding, we hope to continue to generate income to help fund the event for future years. Every year, through sponsorships, fundraising, and donations, the funds generated go towards our club's spending and to help the future generations of leaders continue our VSA traditions. Additionally, to uphold our civic engagement pillar, we will continue to donate to the Collective Philanthropy Project, which this year centers around the Vietnam Assistance for the Handicapped.
- Wednesday, November 12, 2025 – Information Session 1
- Thursday, November 26, 2025 – Information Session 2
- Tuesday, December 16, 2025 – Application Decisions for Contestants
- Starting January 7, 2026 - April 22, 2026 – Weekly Practice / Workshops
- Saturday, January 24, 2026 – Ao Dai Shopping / Retreat
- Saturday, April 4, 2026 – PK Camp
- Monday, April 20, 2026 – Dress Rehearsal
- Saturday, April 25, 2026 – Phở King: Creases of Us Showday
Plans for long-term project management
To ensure the continuity of our project, we have established strategies to maintain engagement and consistency year after year. Each year, we emphasize our theme through performances and skits that tell heartfelt stories, aiming to resonate with both contestants and the audience. This year’s theme focuses on introspection and how experiences shape who we are, which is reflected in all our branding, from social media content to take-home keepsakes like pamphlets and banners.
After the event, we maintain a strong online presence by sharing recap videos on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. This includes the "Phở King: Creases of Us Journey" video, highlighting the preparation and brotherhood leading up to show day, as well as recaps of the event itself and individual dance performances. We also share thank-you posts to express our gratitude.
Each year, potential contestants have a story to be shared. By documenting our processes and utilizing these platforms to celebrate our community, we ensure that the spirit and message of our project are preserved. Overall, this provides a space for our future leaders to thrive and continue to inspire others each year.
Problem statement
At the University of Washington, “Phở King” serves as a cultural initiative dedicated to preserving and celebrating Vietnamese heritage through creativity, storytelling, and community engagement. The event centers on the experiences of young Vietnamese male-identifying individuals and provides an inclusive platform where participants express their identities through performance, dance, and storytelling.
This year’s theme, “Creases of Us,” reflects the event’s focus on identity, reflection, and connection. It encourages both participants and audience members to explore the moments that have shaped their growth while recognizing the shared experiences that unite them. Through this process, “Phở King” fosters social and cultural sustainability by promoting empathy, self-awareness, and appreciation of diverse perspectives from many different cultures across campus.
Months of collective effort lead to a culminating showcase that not only highlights individual expression but also strengthens the fabric of UW’s cultural community. Blending traditional and modern art forms with outreach and education, the event sustains cultural visibility and inspires long-term engagement. By preserving stories, amplifying voices, and creating space for learning, “Phở King” creates a more inclusive, resilient, and culturally aware university environment.
Problem context
Each year, our showcase complements the University of Washington ecosystem through promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as promoting student leadership and equity. Through performances, passion projects, and touching storytelling, we aim to promote and preserve the cultural traditions and identities of Vietnamese culture. Not only will they promote cultural sustainability, but they will also encourage others to take action on current initiatives. These are often emphasized by the Ethnic Cultural Center (ECC) and the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D), along with many other RSOs.
Measure the impacts
| Impact / goal | Metric(s) of success | UW stakeholders impacted |
|---|---|---|
| Showcase Vietnamese Culture, Identity, and Dance | Over 400 people attending the show (based off last year’s metrics) with more than 50 people behind the scenes to make it happen. | Undergraduate, Graduate, Alumni, Academic staff, Admin staff |
| Provide a space for reflection and growth | 9 Boys who go through the journey of discovery and showcase what they have learned. | Undergraduate |
Communication tactics and tools
Our key communication tactics include social media and tabling.
In the months leading up to the show, we will use social media as our main tool of communication. Through Instagram and TikTok, we will share opportunities for people to learn about our event, showcase our unique participants, and provide opportunities to get involved. Social media would also be used to share performances and photos after the showcase.
Additionally, we will be tabling in Red Square, an area with high foot traffic, to share with our event with the larger UW student body. There, our contestants will give a sneak peek of their experience and promote the event.
Outreach communication plan
To communicate Phở King: “Creases of Us” and its impact, we will leverage social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Using these platforms, we plan to post engaging and vibrant teasers, participant spotlights, promotional videos, and behind-the-scenes content that highlights the preparation and journey in creating this show.
It is our hope that VSAUW members and non-members can be inspired and reflect on their own identity and unique life journey from the influence of our pageant participants.
Student involvement
Phở King is dedicated to providing students with the opportunity for professional development. We hold community engagement activities for our contestants to be vital community members, but also to develop communication skills and leadership. Additionally, we hold various workshops for our contestants to further develop their public speaking skills and emphasize community through cultural storytelling, dances, and passion projects to prepare them for the show and future life experiences. Although this is a pageant where contestants compete amongst other community members, we emphasize a supportive environment that promotes teamwork and growth. Overall, this event is designed to uplift our contestants’ stories to inspire our community.