One of my aunts used to say vahz, and tried to get me to say it too. But I wouldn't. Couldn't, really. This was early in my teens, and I was sure, still am, that I'm not a person who says Vahz.
She also wanted me to say "ahmond", for almond. I have looked that up, and seems either is acceptable.
She was a very nice person, not pretentious really.
Vase, at least, is not a word that comes up often, unless you are a florist.