Representative Tran Raises Alarm Over Invitation of Socialist Republic of Vietnam Senior Officials to Orange County

Orange County, CA - Congressman Derek Tran (CA-45) issued the following statement expressing deep concern regarding the City of Anaheim's decision to host the "Vietnam-U.S. Innovation and Investment Forum," an event featuring high-ranking officials from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam:

"As the Representative for the largest Vietnamese diaspora community in the world, I am profoundly disappointed that a platform is being given to officials from the dictatorial communist government of Vietnam in Anaheim.

"The Vietnamese refugee community has endured tremendous suffering under the Vietnamese communist regime. Allowing these officials to amplify their message in our community is a painful and disrespectful reminder of the repression that thousands of our Vietnamese American familiesendured on the orders of the communist government. They survivedforced labor camps known as re-education camps, imprisonment, and unspeakable violence to find freedom in Orange County.

"Many residents of Anaheim and neighboring cities are former political prisoners. The mistreatment and abuse they experienced were so severe that, even after 50 years, our community continues to struggle to heal. Our history and the ongoing challenges we face demand both recognition and support.

"To celebrate this regime in our own backyard is an affront to those who lost family members at its hands and risked everything to escape.

"Hanoi and its agents continue to suppress basic rights, imprison journalists, and stifle free expression. By welcoming these officials, we are abandoning the core values of freedom and democracy that have helped our community flourish for over five decades.

"I have shared my concerns with Mayor Aitken and relayed the community's profound disappointment with this event. The united voice of the Vietnamese American community condemns this visit and does not support legitimizing a repressive, communist regime."

Representative Tran previously denounceddiplomatic partnerships between the U.S. and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam following U.S. Consul General Susan Burns's participation in the communist regime's commemoration of the Fall of Saigon in 2025.

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Congressman Derek Tran represents California's 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.