Hmong Times 2025 Year In Review: Stories That Shaped, Challenged, And United Our Community

From January through December of 2025, the Hmong Times documented moments of remembrance, resilience, creativity, and forward movement across our communities. This Year in Review reflects a year defined by honoring history, elevating new voices, celebrating cultural continuity, and spotlighting the people and programs shaping the Hmong American story today. The following recaps highlight the most impactful stories of the year capturing the depth, diversity, and spirit of 2025.

Legacies Of War

The Fred Branfman And Bouangeun Luangpraseuth Timeline Of The American Secret War in Laos traced the intertwined legacies of two individuals whose work and lived experience helped expose one of the most hidden chapters of U.S. military history. Through a detailed timeline, the story connected investigative courage, Hmong survival, and historical accountability, illustrating how documentation and testimony reshaped global understanding of the war in Laos. The article emphasized the importance of preserving firsthand narratives as elders age, reminding readers that truth-telling is both an act of remembrance and resistance. For many, the piece reinforced why the Secret War must remain central to Hmong American historical memory.

Mapping A Secret History. The story reflects on the power of maps to shape history, memory, and personal loss. While visiting the Geography and Maps Reading Room at the Library of Congress, the author contrasts static historical maps with modern digital maps that constantly change and obscure what lies in between destinations. During a guided visit with the Legacies of War team, the author encounters a newly acquired 1971 Vietnamese map of Route 9 in Laos – an area central to the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The map carries deep personal meaning: Route 9 was where the author’s uncle, Jack, was killed in 1972 when his AC-130 aircraft was shot down, killing all fourteen crew members aboard Spectre 13. Decades later, the author follows a map left by their mother to Sepon, Laos, discovering a village rebuilt after devastating U.S. bombing. The experience reveals how maps not only document geography but also record decisions that forever alter lives, communities, and nations.

A Veteran’s View From The Sky offered a deeply personal account of the war years through the eyes of a Hmong veteran whose memories were shaped by flight, terrain, and survival. The story provided a rare perspective, blending literal aerial experiences with emotional reflection on fear, loss, and duty. Moving beyond battlefield recollections, the article examined the lasting psychological impact of war, displacement, and resettlement. Readers connected strongly with the veteran’s reflections on gratitude and grief, as well as the enduring bonds shared among those whose service went unrecognized for decades.

Community

Hmong Trooper Finds A Road To A New Career With The Minnesota State Patrol highlighted perseverance, representation, and public service through the journey of a Hmong American entering law enforcement. The story followed his path from inspiration to rigorous training, emphasizing how cultural identity, discipline, and family support shaped his success. More than an individual achievement, the article explored the broader significance of representation in public safety and the importance of building trust between law enforcement agencies and diverse communities. Readers saw the trooper’s story as a symbol of expanding opportunities and meaningful civic engagement.

City Of Brooklyn Park Teen Center Project focused on the vision and momentum behind a dedicated youth space designed to serve local teens, including a significant Hmong population. The article detailed plans for mentorship programs, educational support, and recreational opportunities, emphasizing the role of safe, inclusive spaces in youth development. Community leaders and families shared hopes that the center would provide guidance, reduce risk factors, and empower young people to lead. The story reflected broader conversations around investing in youth as a long-term strategy for stronger, healthier communities.

‘RELISH’ Nominated For 2025 James Beard Media Award celebrated national recognition for storytelling rooted in Hmong food, culture, and identity. The article explored how RELISH elevated culinary narratives beyond recipes, framing food as memory, migration, and cultural survival. The James Beard nomination was presented as both a professional milestone and a communal victory, signaling growing recognition of Hmong voices in mainstream food media. Readers responded with pride, seeing the nomination as validation of cultural storytelling long shared within families and communities.

Thousands Attend Another Successful J4 captured the scale and emotional power of one of the Hmong community’s largest annual gatherings. The article highlighted ceremonies honoring veterans, cultural performances, athletic competitions, and family-centered activities that brought thousands together. J4 once again served as a space for remembrance, celebration, and unity, reinforcing its importance as a living tradition. Organizers, volunteers, and attendees were recognized for sustaining the event’s spirit, ensuring that history, sacrifice, and freedom remain at the center of collective memory.

From Farm Roots To National Fame: How Diane Moua And Diane’s Place Redefined American Dining. When Food & Wine announced its coveted 2025 Restaurant of the Year, the culinary world took notice. The honor didn’t go to a Michelin-starred spot in New York or a high-profile tasting menu in Los Angeles – it went to Diane’s Place, a soulful Hmong restaurant nestled in Northeast Minneapolis. “YES, the national restaurant of the year is a HMONG restaurant. Let that sink in,” said FOX 9 Morning News anchor Chenue Her, capturing the pride that rippled across Minnesota and Hmong communities nationwide. For Diane Moua, that meant taking the flavors of her childhood – dishes born in Hmong kitchens, rooted in refugee journeys and agricultural life – and reimagining them with modern technique and refined presentation.

Hmong Population Growth In Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California: Insights From The 2020 U.S. Census broke down key demographic data to show where and how Hmong communities continue to grow. The story translated census figures into meaningful insights about political representation, education, housing, and healthcare access. By contextualizing population trends, the article encouraged readers to consider how data informs advocacy, funding, and long-term planning. The piece served as both an informational resource and a call to civic engagement across states with large Hmong populations.

Spinning Tradition into the Future: Keller Regional Park Celebrates Renovated Tuj Lub Courts And New Cultural Sports Complex showcased how public investment can honor cultural heritage while supporting modern community needs. The article highlighted the renovation of traditional Tuj Lub courts alongside the creation of a broader cultural sports complex, emphasizing intergenerational connection and youth engagement. Community members described the project as a symbol of visibility, pride, and cultural continuity. The story illustrated how tradition can thrive when given space to evolve.

Honoring The Life And Legacy of WaChong Vang paid tribute to a respected elder whose life reflected service, humility, and perseverance. Through memories shared by family and community members, the article honored his contributions and the values he embodied. Readers were reminded of the quiet leadership carried by many elders whose sacrifices laid the foundation for future generations. The story served as both remembrance and reflection, underscoring the responsibility to preserve these legacies.

Kaohly Vang Her – A Daughter Of Our People, A Leader for All profiled a public servant whose leadership bridges cultural roots and civic responsibility. The article traced her journey, highlighting advocacy, representation, and commitment to inclusive policy. Her story resonated as an example of how Hmong values inform leadership beyond the community, inspiring pride and engagement. Readers saw her success as a collective milestone and a reflection of growing political participation.

Celebrating The Hmong New Year: A Son’s Reflection on Legacy, Culture, And Community offered a personal meditation on tradition, memory, and belonging. Through reflections on elders, rituals, and generational change, the article emphasized the emotional significance of the Hmong New Year beyond celebration alone. Readers connected deeply with its introspective tone, recognizing shared experiences of gratitude, responsibility, and cultural continuity.

The Echo Of Our Ancestors: Fifty Years Of Hmong American Hope reflected on five decades of Hmong life in the United States, weaving history, struggle, and achievement into a collective narrative. The article honored ancestors while highlighting resilience, adaptability, and hope as defining forces. It served as a unifying reflection on identity and the promise carried forward by future generations.

Education

HAP Academy OIC Graduates Its First Students – Class of 2025 marked a milestone achievement for culturally responsive education. The article celebrated student perseverance, family support, and the academy’s mission to create equitable pathways to success. Educators and graduates shared pride in the program’s impact, reinforcing education as a cornerstone of community advancement and self-determination.

Pakou Yang Named Interim President Of Normandale Community College. The Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities named Pakou Yang to serve as interim president of Normandale Community College. The appointment was effective June 4, 2025. Dr. Yang has devoted her career to serving students at Minnesota State colleges and universities, both in the classroom and in leadership roles on campus and at the system office. She has a proven track record of fostering student success, increasing enrollment and retention, and championing inclusion and belonging efforts.

Outdoors

Minnesota State Park Tours Feature Fun, Learning, Movement, And Something New To Think About explored inclusive outdoor programming designed to engage diverse communities. The article highlighted education, physical activity, and reflection as tools for connection, emphasizing accessibility and mental wellness. Readers appreciated the focus on making nature welcoming and relevant.

I Can! Programs Teach Outdoor Skills That Last A Lifetime showcased youth-centered initiatives that build confidence through outdoor skill development. From camping to environmental stewardship, the story emphasized mentorship and long-term impact, reinforcing the value of representation in outdoor spaces.

Arts

Meet “Stop Kiss” Costume Designer Khamphian Vang introduced readers to a creative professional shaping storytelling through design. The article explored her artistic journey, cultural influences, and behind-the-scenes contributions, celebrating Hmong representation in theater beyond the stage.

New Book Explores Pioneering Hmong Women highlighted a publication dedicated to preserving women’s stories of leadership and resilience. The article emphasized the importance of documenting voices often overlooked, positioning the book as both historical record and inspiration.

The Hmong Times 2025 Year in Review captures a community grounded in memory while actively shaping its future. Through stories of war and peace, leadership and youth, art and education, these narratives reflect who we are and where we are going. Together, they affirm that storytelling remains a powerful act of preservation, connection, and hope – one that Hmong Times will continue to carry forward in the years ahead.