The opening of "Exit Saigon -- Enter Little Saigon" at San Jose City College was enhanced by the Vietnamese cultural display by Iris Dinh of Vietology. 

She described the red and yellow flowers representing the colors and stripes of the Heritage Flag of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). 

The replicas of the drum (sometimes a gong) which are on the table date back 2500 years in Vietnamese culture.  Vietologist Ms. Dinh called attention to an article in National Geographic in March, 1971, by Wilhelm G. Solheim ("A New Light on a Forgotten Past").  The author, at the University of Hawaii at the time, suggests that  evidence shows the advance of  civilization marked by agricultural development and symbolic art began in Southeast Asia and spread to China and to Indonesia and the Philippines.  The Dong Son drum portrays spirit boats (like the later Lac Viet boat) taking the dead to a holy place for everlasting life -- heaven.  The bronze drum was found somewhat south of Hanoi. 

The photograph was taken by Jean Libby, editor of VietAm Review and graphically rendered by Peter of Cali Fine Art.  Mr. Peter is a graduate of San Jose City College in Professional Photography in 1997 and San Jose State University.  His studio and print production facility is at 970 Story Road -- in the new "Little Saigon."  Jean Libby is an adjunct instructor in History and Ethnic Studies at SJCC and the first woman graduate in Professional Photography at De Anza College in 1978.