Vietnamese Catholics, especially the women, love the Blessed Mother. They teach their children and grandchildren to pray the rosary at an early age. They also evangelize to the non-Christians in their neighborhoods by telling them about Our Lady of La Vang and teaching them how to pray the Hail Mary. 

At the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, many Vietnamese people fled their country by way of the sea. As they were chased by pirates, ran into turbulent waters and experienced sinking boats or drowning, they would pray to Our Lady of La Vang for rescue. Some of those fleeing reported seeing a lady appear to them or a bright light shining in the darkness of the ocean, showing them the way. Many of the Vietnamese people converted to Catholicism as they settled in their new countries. 

Celebrations of Our Lady of La Vang start with a procession around the block or the church’s parking lot as the Blessed Mother is honored with Marian hymns and prayers. A statue of Our Lady of La Vang is carried on a float surrounded with flowers. Parishioners of all ages walk slowly before the statue while praying the rosary. Songs praising Our Lady’s virtues — beauty, gentleness, compassion and holiness — are sung between the rosary decades. At the end of the procession, the youth have multiple dances, offering up flowers to Our Lady. The statue of Our Lady of La Vang is then carried into the church, where the people line up to offer the Blessed Mother flowers. This is followed by a Mass, a meal and fellowship. 

Today, the Vietnamese Catholic community in Cincinnati continues the tradition of honoring the Blessed Mother. There is always a special place for her in the church, in their families and in their hearts. As their tradition goes, at the end of almost all Masses, they conclude their worship with a Marian hymn. They pray to and thank Our Lady of La Vang for their community and for the country where they settled and are free to worship God and practice their Catholic faith.