The aspiration for connection of young Vietnamese in Australia
WVR - Sharing with The World and Vietnam Report about the journey of building the Australia–Vietnamese Talent Network (AVTN), AVTN President Hannah Huyen Vu believes that young Vietnamese in Australia possess a unique advantage in connecting two cultures, two knowledge ecosystems, and bringing Vietnamese identity to the world with a spirit of integration and creativity.
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| AVTN President Hannah Huyen Vu. |
What motivated you and your colleagues to establish AVTN? What do you expect the network to bring to the young Vietnamese community in Australia?
AVTN was formed from a very natural yet meaningful journey. The network originated from the "Xuan Que huong – Vietnamese Spring Festival" event in Perth, which gathered hundreds of students, professionals, businesses, and the Vietnamese community across Western Australia.
The special thing we felt from the event was the strong spirit of identity, connection, and the aspiration for joint development among young Vietnamese in Australia.
That moment made us realize that the Vietnamese community here has a lot of potential, but still needs a broad and sustainable platform to connect resources, share opportunities, and create long-term value together.
From that awareness, in 2025, I, along with many colleagues in education, business, and community activities, built a more long-term network. And AVTN was born from that vision.
Currently, AVTN aims to become a platform that connects and empowers Vietnamese talents in Australia and Vietnam, promoting cooperation, development, and strengthening sustainable connections between the people of the two countries.
This is also a very special time as the Vietnam–Australia relationship is developing strongly, especially after the two countries upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
I believe that the young Vietnamese community in Australia can play a very important role during this period, not only as individuals who successfully integrate but also as bridges of knowledge, culture, and cooperation between the two countries.
Our biggest expectation is to build a community where young Vietnamese feel connected, inspired, and have the opportunity to develop according to their abilities.
Further, we hope AVTN will become a "talent corridor" between Vietnam and Australia, where ideas, projects, and people can meet to create shared value for both countries.
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| Members of AVTN at the launch event in April 2026. |
In your opinion, what advantages and responsibilities do young Vietnamese abroad have in becoming a bridge between the two countries?
I believe that today's generation of young Vietnamese abroad possesses a very special advantage: the ability to understand and connect two worlds simultaneously.
You have access to an international educational environment, global thinking, new technology, and modern work standards. At the same time, you still carry the Vietnamese identity, attachment to family, culture, and a spirit oriented towards the homeland. This intersection creates a generation capable of "shifting" between two cultures and two ecosystems very flexibly.
However, with the advantage also comes responsibility. I think young Vietnamese abroad today not only represent themselves but also contribute to shaping the image of the Vietnamese community on the international stage.
You can become bridges in education, research, technology, trade, or cultural exchange through your expertise, experience, and network.
The most important thing is to maintain an open spirit without losing identity. The more one understands where they come from, the more confidently they step into the world.
How important do you think cultural factors and a spirit oriented towards the homeland are in building a talent network?
I always believe that a sustainable network cannot be built solely on business cards or professional connections. What binds people long-term is the sense of belonging, empathy, and shared values.
For the overseas Vietnamese community, culture and a spirit oriented towards the homeland are very special connecting threads. Activities like "Xuan Que huong" or "Run for Vietnam" are not merely community events, but places where people find pride in their roots, share, and feel they are doing something meaningful together.
When young people feel connected to their culture and community, they will also be more open to supporting each other, contributing to society, and building long-term values.
I think talent and cultural identity are inseparable. The more one understands where they come from, the more confidently they step into the world.
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| Ms. Hannah Huyen Vu introducing the network's activities. |
In your interactions with Vietnamese students and professionals in Australia, what impresses you most about today's generation of young Vietnamese?
What impresses me most is the spirit of stepping out of their comfort zone and the strong adaptability of today's young Vietnamese.
Many came to Australia very early, had to be independent, study and work simultaneously, overcoming language, cultural barriers, and financial pressures. But instead of limiting themselves, they continuously strive to develop, engage in research, start businesses, participate in community activities, and make their mark in their fields.
What moves me even more is that despite being very busy with their personal journeys, many still want to contribute to the community and homeland. Some are willing to spend time mentoring new students, supporting charitable activities, or participating in Vietnam–Australia connection projects without expecting anything in return.
I believe this is a generation not only talented but also rich in sharing spirit and community responsibility.
AVTN aims to promote connections in education, technology, trade, and sustainable development between Vietnam and Australia. Which field do you think has the most potential for cooperation in the coming years?
I believe that education, technology, and healthcare will be three fields with great potential for cooperation in the near future.
Vietnam has a young, dynamic population with a high demand for innovation, digital transformation, and the development of high-quality human resources. Meanwhile, Australia has strengths in education, research, applied technology, and a very developed innovation ecosystem.
In particular, I see many opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, biomedical technology, sustainable energy, and healthcare. These are all areas where the two countries can complement each other very well.
Furthermore, cooperation should not only stop at the organizational or governmental level but should expand to human connections between universities, businesses, experts, and the startup community. This is also the role that AVTN wishes to promote in the future.
How will the network play a role in preserving Vietnamese identity and spreading the image of a dynamic, integrated Vietnamese community in Australia?
AVTN wishes to contribute to building the image of a Vietnamese community in Australia that is both strongly integrated and proudly preserves its cultural identity.
We want young Vietnamese to confidently talk about Vietnamese culture with a modern, open, and positive spirit. This can be expressed through community activities, arts, education, entrepreneurship, or international cooperation projects with a Vietnamese imprint.
Besides connecting talents, AVTN also aims to create spaces for young people to share their stories, receive development support, and be inspired to continue contributing to the community.
I believe that when the Vietnamese community is successful, united, and retains its identity, it is also a beautiful image of Vietnam in the eyes of international friends.
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| AVTV supporting the Vietnamese women's football team at the 2026 Women's Asian Cup finals in Australia in March 2026. (Photo Courtesy by author) |
| Hannah Huyen Vu is currently the Director of External Relations for Southeast Asia at the University of Western Australia, with many initiatives connecting Australia and Vietnam in education, research, innovation, and community development. In 2024, she was honoured by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front as one of the 15 outstanding overseas Vietnamese. Through her professional and community activities, she pursues the goal of promoting sustainable connections between Australia and Vietnam, while inspiring young Vietnamese to integrate globally while preserving their national identity. |
