Dear Parents, Leaders and Scouters,

Thirty-five years ago in 1983, the International Central Committee of Vietnamese Scouting (ICCVS) was formed to serve as the unified voice and body that represents the thousands of Vietnamese Scouts who had to flee their homeland to escape Communism and were spread across the world. After the Fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese Scouting had to officially cease to exist, but thanks to the sacrifices of our leaders in ICCVS, Vietnamese Scouting once again flourished in the many countries across the globe, where ever there were Vietnamese people.

The contributions of ICCVS have been recognized by the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) and by leadership of the Boy Scout of America as well as the Girl Scouts of the USA for over 35 years. In fact, it was at the request of WOSM and BSA that ICCVS was created in exile to represent all Vietnamese Scouts across the world.

Regrettably, today there are a few individuals who are attempting to cast doubt on the legitimacy of our organization and are trying to create conflict between the Boy Scout of America and ICCVS for their personal gains. They are spreading false and misleading statements that WOSM and BSA do not recognize ICCVS, contrary to the facts that are well documented and shared worldwide. These individuals have ill-advised the leadership of the Orange County Council of the BSA to push for the dissolution of ICCVS. If ICCVS is dissolved, these individuals conspire that their organization, newly appointed under the sole control of BSA, the National Vietnamese Scouting Committee (NVSC), would have oversight of all Vietnamese Scouting units in the US.

Today, as parents and leaders, we have the responsibility to protect and preserve our Vietnamese Scouting legacy. We are the voice of Hướng Đạo Việt Nam. We are Vietnamese Scouting! Hence we must ensure that Vietnamese Scouting can be preserved and enriched for our children and next generation.

We believe Mr. Herrmann was misinformed about the critical role of ICCVS and how ICCVS supports Vietnamese Scouting and our associated BSA units, as any strong partner of BSA would do.

In the letter to Mr. Herrmann:

• we clarify our legitimate, long and fruitful relationship with the BSA;
• request that the Orange County Council and the National Council designate the Hướng Đạọ Việt Nam banner with our Vietnamese heritage flag as the official Vietnamese Scouting Heritage Badge;
• and ask that Mr. Herrmann meet in person with our ICCVS representatives to chart a path forward.

We ask that you sign this petition to let BSA know what is in the hearts and minds of our Vietnamese Scouting family.

Click here link to view our letter to Mr. Herrmann.

Click “Sign this Petition” to add to your name to the letter. In the comment box, please enter any Scouting position(s) you currently hold or have held in the past, along with your associated BSA Council name and unit numbers.