The event was organized by the Association of Vietnamese Students in New South Wales (UAVS-NSW) in collaboration with 4 international student associations, representing the Vietnamese student community across Australia.

To he stall with many funny and colorful to he products.. Photo: VNA

Speaking at the occasion, Dang Dinh Hung, the chairman of the Association of Vietnamese Students in New South Wales, said the organization had always aimed to build a space where Australians of Vietnamese descent, particularly the younger generation, could learn more about the culture, history, and people of Vietnam.

This event builds on the sequence of occasions that UAVS-NSW has planned over the years and serves as one of the celebrations for the "milestone" 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia in 2023.

The Cultural Festival was a success, with more than 200 attendees, including many overseas students, despite taking place in the midst of ongoing, widespread concern about the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnamese students of all ages from universities in NSW come from all throughout Vietnam.

Participants got the chance to engage in traditional Vietnamese activities during the event, including shaping To he, painting on conical hats, watching and performing calligraphy, and taking in Dong Ho paintings. Vietnamese specialties include spring rolls and banh mi. Many young people enjoy peach tea and iced milk coffee. The festival also included a variety of traditional activities including tug of war, flag stealing, can tossing, etc., which helped to create a "market" atmosphere in the days before Tet.

University of Wollongong student named Dam Thi Kim Ngan said that participating in cultural competitions that were similar to those in Vietnam gave her a sense of homecoming. Kim Ngan enjoys visiting the To he(glutinous toy figurine) booth the most. Few individuals from the 9x generation may not be familiar with To he, which comes in a variety of shapes, including those of animals, figures from fairy tales, flowers, and more.

To he doesn't show up very often these days, but Kim Ngan will always cherish the memories of seeing and holding one in the middle of Sydney. University of Sydney student Nguyen Khanh Vi, meanwhile, was intrigued by the calligraphy stall. According to Khanh Vi, calligraphy writing is a characteristic Vietnamese cultural practice for the upcoming New Year. Khanh Vi's homesickness is lessened by the Cultural Festival because it has been a while since she last saw her family.

After more than two years, the majority of face-to-face interactions cannot be arranged, but it can be claimed that the Culture Festival has been effective in bringing together Vietnamese international students and the overseas Vietnamese community in Australia. Dang Dinh Hung, Chairman of UAVS-NSW, stated that the organization had worked very hard to make the event "smooth." All of the association's events will take place "online" in 2020 and 2021, therefore rearranging a sizable live event will be difficult for the whole Executive Committee and UAVS-NSW admin crew.

The stall drawing hats on conical hats attracts female students to "show off their talents" in painting, Dieu Linh/VNA reporter in Sydney. Photo: VNA

To maintain disease management, the NSW government has recently introduced a number of new, harsher laws for large gatherings. However, the Cultural Festival event was a huge success because to the student participation, the enthusiastic support of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney, the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia, and a number of Vietnamese representative organizations and enterprises in Australia.

In order to accomplish its goal of providing a "home" for Vietnamese international students in Vietnam, UAVS-NSW will continue to develop more significant activities and initiatives, according to President Dang Dinh Hung. Australia serves as a "bridge" for tighter cultural and educational ties between Vietnam and Australia.

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