SAN JOSE COMMUNITY LEADERS have until Wednesday to end a battle for control of the Viet Museum at History Park, or they’ll be iced out of managing the cultural landmark for good.
Community members have been fighting over who has legitimate authority over the Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center, the nonprofit that operates the museum. History San Jose, a city-contracted nonprofit that oversees History Park and its historic buildings and resources on Phelan Avenue, has given both sides until Dec. 31 to resolve their dispute. In the meantime, History San Jose has kept the museum closed for a year amid a quarrel that’s now playing out in civil court.
“To our knowledge, the (Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center) dispute remains unresolved,” Michelle Duncan, History San Jose’s director of operations, told San José Spotlight. “We are hopeful to hear directly from a group in the coming days and remain committed to a prompt and civil outcome. The Viet Museum has been closed for too long, and we are excited to reopen it in partnership with an operator who understands the parameters outlined by the city and our board of directors.”
The dispute has split dueling board members along two groups, each alleging they’re the true board. On one side are board members Quinn Tran — recognized by her side as executive director of the Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center — along with Minh Le, Tana Bui, Nhu-Hanh Ton-Nu and Phi Ha. The other side is composed of the museum’s former director Hong Cao, alongside board members Cuong Nguyen, Nhut Ho, Tue Quang Phan and My Linh Pham.
Battle for board control unresolved
Tran confirmed the dispute hasn’t changed and the situation is still in limbo.
“We suggested arbitration, the other side did not want arbitration,” Tran told San José Spotlight.
Tran has bristled at History San Jose’s intervention in the dispute. She has previously said the consequences would be deeper than a change of hands over the museum. The Immigrant Resettlement and Cultural Center is seen as an extension of its highly-protective late architect, Loc Vu, a war veteran and refugee who also founded the immigrant nonprofit. Before his death, Vu announced his retirement as president in January and proposed his son-in-law, Minh Le as his successor. The idea opened a major rift.
Several board members objected over nepotism concerns, prompting dueling accusations between them and Vu of wrongdoing and a fight over which board members were legitimate. Vu died Nov. 29 after months in hospice care.
“It’s our museum. It’s our place of community. It’s our place of memories.” Quinn Tran, San Jose Viet Museum board member
“It’s our museum. It’s our place of community. It’s our place of memories,” Tran said. “The experience we went through and stories we want our younger generations to learn from. It’s our stories and our experience. For History San Jose to decide on that — that is an insult.”
The Viet Museum opened its yellow Victorian doors in 2007 and welcomed tens of thousands of visitors a year prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s located more than two miles from downtown San Jose and is among the few cultural landmarks in Silicon Valley that honor the Vietnamese boat people and their descendants. San Jose is home to more than 140,000 Vietnamese residents, making it the city with the largest Vietnamese population in the U.S.
District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan previously requested History San Jose extend its deadline for both sides to come to an agreement. His office did not respond to requests for comment Monday.
Tran said a protest against History San Jose’s decision seems to be the only other recourse.
“We have to bring the strength of the community to voice our displeasure,” Tran said.
Contact Brandon Pho at brandon@sanjosespotlight.com or @brandonphooo on X.
This story originally appeared in San Jose Spotlight.