Nowadays, one of Asia’s hottest tourist destinations is Vietnam. The Southeast Asian nation attracted more than 21 million visitors last year, up 20 percent from the year before.
But for those who don’t have time or money to go overseas this fall, it’s possible to enjoy Vietnamese culture here in Vancouver this weekend. That’s because the Vietnam Canada Business Association will host Vancouver’s inaugural Vietnam Festival in collaboration with the B.C.-based Soul of Vietnam Foundation.
The free celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday (September 26) and Sunday (September 27) at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (north of the Vancouver Art Gallery) in downtown Vancouver.
“Inspired by the distinct beauty and traditions of Vietnam’s North, Central, and South regions, the festival brings the spirit of Vietnam to Vancouver through authentic cuisine, cultural performances, live entertainment, artisan vendors, interactive activities, and exhibits that showcase the rich diversity of Vietnam’s 54 ethnic groups,” the festival website states.
The Vietnamese dance crew Trixiie will be among the performers. In addition, Angela Ho, who was Miss Congeniality at the Miss Asian Global 2026 pageant, will also make an appearance. And Saigon-born U.S. photographer BeBe Khuê Jacobs will be a judge of the Áo Dài fashion show competition on Day 2.
According to the 2021 census, there were 26,850 people of Vietnamese origin in Metro Vancouver. The largest number—11,870—lived in Vancouver at the time. The largest concentration of Vietnamese Canadian businesses is along Kingsway. Two of the most popular Vietnamese restaurants in the city are Anh and Chi on Main Street and Lunch Lady on Commercial Drive.
The festival comes more than 45 years after the first significant wave of Vietnamese people moved to B.C. following the end of the Vietnam War. According to the Royal BC Museum, about 5,000 refugees from Vietnam came to this province in 1979 and 1980.
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