(VNF) - The Vietfest 2016, an annual Vietnamese cultural festival, opened at Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra on November 23^rd.

Visitors were offered a glimpse into Vietnam’s culture through performances of traditional musical instruments, including dan bau (monochord zither), flute and dan tranh (plucked zither) by artist Thu Hien, artist Minh Ha and “Viet Music” band. She also taught the visitor how to play monochord zither.

Performances artist Minh Ha and “Viet Music” band. (Photo: Vu Phi Tran)

The event also featured a flashmob dance and a talent competition (VietCOMPET 2016) of Vietnamese students in Australia. Many songs praising the beautiful country and friendly Vietnamese people were performed by Vietnamese students from Australian National University (ANU), University of Canberra (UC), University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).

Stalls displaying Vietnamese handicrafts and food were a draw to visitors. (Photo: Vu Phi Tran)

Proceeds will be donated to charity programmes in Vietnam, such as the “For beloved Hoang Sa-Truong Sa” and the Vu A Dinh scholarship fund in support of coast guards, fishermen and poor students.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Luong Thanh Nghi, who is also Chairman of the ASEAN Committee in Canberra, has come and participated the event.

Ambassador Luong Thanh Nghi presented the awards to VietCOMPET’s contestants. (Photo: Vu Phi Tran)

Luc Anh Tuan, head of the Vietnamese Youth and Students’ Association in Canberra (ACT-VYSA) – the organiser of the festival, said the Vietfest has received great support from the Vietnam Embassy in Australia, the ANU and the UNSW for years.

He added that to raise funds for the festival this year, his association had hosted a music night themed “My Vietnam” on October 9^th at Smith's Alternative tea shop, connecting the community and introducing Vietnamese culture to international friends. This is the first tea shop music program of ACT-VYSA in 2016 in order to create a playground for people loving music that received a warm welcome from the Vietnamese community in Canberra./.

( Compiled by VNF )