‘Colours of the Homeland’ brings Vietnamese culture closer to the people of Perth
WVR - Nearly 4,000 people visited Forrest Place in the heart of Perth, Australia, on 7 November to attend Vietnam Cultural Day 2026, themed “Colours of the Homeland”. The event brought the image of a culturally rich, dynamic and friendly Vietnam closer to the people of Western Australia.
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The festival was jointly organised by the Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth, the Australia Vietnam Talent Network (AVTN) and Global Trade Connection. Among those attending were Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds, representatives of local authorities, members of the consular corps, organisations and associations, as well as a large number of Vietnamese expatriates, Australian friends and international visitors.
Amid the warm spring weather, one of Perth's busiest public spaces was transformed into a vibrant showcase of Vietnamese colours, adding a distinctive highlight to the city's multicultural life.
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| Vietnamese Consul General in Perth, Mr. Pham Hai Anh delivers his opening remarks at the event. |
“Culture lights the way for the nation”
In his opening remarks, Consul General Pham Hai Anh emphasised that culture is the soul of the nation, serving as its spiritual foundation, endogenous resource and soft power in the new era. He recalled President Ho Chi Minh's words: “Culture lights the way for the nation.”
According to the Consul General, preserving and promoting national identity is of particular importance in strengthening national unity, fostering bonds among Vietnamese communities around the world and promoting the country's image internationally.
This year's event carries added significance as Vietnam marks the 80th anniversary of the first National Cultural Conference, held on 24 November 1946, and prepares to celebrate the first Vietnam Cultural Day on 24 November 2026.
Addressing the Vietnamese community, the Consul General outlined three orientations - “Preserve, Promote and Develop”. These involve preserving the Vietnamese language, family traditions and the nation's cherished values; actively introducing Vietnamese culture to the local community; and harnessing creativity to ensure that Vietnamese culture continues to develop, harmonising tradition with modernity and national identity with international integration.
He affirmed that overseas Vietnamese are an inseparable part of the Vietnamese nation and serve as a “living bridge” connecting Vietnam with other countries. Within the framework of the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties make a practical contribution to strengthening mutual understanding, trust and bonds between the two countries.
Younger generations - the driving force behind Vietnamese culture overseas
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| Perth Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds addresses the event. |
One of the festival's most notable features was the active participation of the community, particularly young people, students and generations of Vietnamese Australians.
Beyond attending and supporting the performances, many participants directly contributed to the organisation of the event, serving as volunteers, performing on stage and introducing Vietnamese cultural traditions.
Through youthful and accessible artistic expressions, these young people demonstrated their pride in their heritage while naturally bringing Vietnamese culture closer to international audiences and helping it reach a wider public.
A colourful journey from folk traditions to contemporary expressions
The artistic programme brought together artists, singers and performance groups from Vietnam and various parts of Australia. The opening performance featured the song “Bonjour Vietnam”, sung in French, English and Vietnamese, evoking a sense of closeness and nostalgia among those living far from their homeland while inviting audiences on a journey of discovery through Vietnamese culture.
Audiences enjoyed familiar folk melodies such as “Ly ngua o” and “Beo dat may troi”, the evocative sounds of the T'rung bamboo xylophone in “Tay Nguyen chao Mat troi”, and the traditional art of chau van singing through the performance “Co doi thuong ngan”.
Together, these performances painted a vibrant picture of Vietnam's diverse regions. A fashion show inspired by the cultures of Vietnam's ethnic groups further celebrated traditional beauty through fresh and contemporary design expressions.
The atmosphere became even more lively with modern musical and dance performances, including “Ngan uoc mo Viet Nam”, “Made in Vietnam”, “Viet Nam huy hoang”, “Viet Nam toi” and “Di giua troi ruc ro”.
The combination of different generations of artists and the blending of traditional cultural elements with contemporary styles demonstrated the enduring vitality of Vietnamese culture in an increasingly integrated world.
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| The warm reception from local audiences highlights the appeal of Vietnamese culture in Australia's multicultural society. |
A bridge connecting the two peoples
The festival attracted not only the Vietnamese community but also large numbers of Australians and international visitors. Many stopped to watch the performances, interact with participants, learn about Vietnamese music and traditional costumes, and sample Vietnamese cuisine.
The enthusiastic response from local audiences demonstrated the appeal of Vietnamese culture within Australia's multicultural society.
The success of “Colours of the Homeland” reaffirmed the role of cultural diplomacy and people-to-people exchanges in building trust and establishing a sustainable social foundation for the Vietnam-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
From a community festival, the event has become a cultural bridge connecting Vietnam and Australia, contributing to further strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in Perth)
