CaliToday (25/9/2025): Inspired by the theme "Born from Culture, Shaped by Time," the event captivated attendees with traditional lion dances, musical performances, a conical hat dance, and an elegant áo dài parade.
PERTH – Curtin University's Bentley campus was transformed into a vibrant tapestry of Vietnamese culture as the Vietnamese Students' Association at Curtin (VSAC) launched its first-ever Vietnam Odyssea Festival 2025, a lively celebration of heritage and community.
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| An art performance at Vietnam Odyssea. — Photo VNA/VNS |
The event, supported by the Town of Victoria Park, Curtin College, Curtin University, and numerous Vietnamese organizations and businesses in Western Australia, drew a large and diverse crowd eager to experience the richness of Vietnamese traditions.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Nguyen Thanh Ha, the Consul General of Vietnam in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, praised the Vietnam Odyssea Festival 2025 as a cultural playground for students. She highlighted it as a testament to the creativity and social responsibility of Vietnamese youth in Australia. She called it the beginning of a new tradition, one that brings Vietnam closer to its international friends.
Mr. Quentin Derrick, Principal and Director of Curtin College, commended the Vietnamese students for their professional organization. He remarked that they have proven that international students can serve as powerful "cultural ambassadors," effectively sharing their heritage and building bridges between communities.
Inspired by the theme "Born from Culture, Shaped by Time," the event captured the hearts of attendees with a stunning lineup of cultural showcases. The festivities included an energetic lion dance, enchanting melodies from traditional musical instruments, a graceful conical hat dance, and a beautiful parade of the iconic Vietnamese traditional dress, the áo dài.
A bustling folk games area attracted enthusiastic participants with traditional sack races and the classic "blindfolded pot smashing" game. Adding to the sensory experience were a dedicated art exhibition and a food corner that filled the air with the irresistible aromas of authentic dishes like phở, bún chả, fresh spring rolls (gỏi cuốn), and Vietnamese iced milk coffee (cà phê sữa đá).
The vibrant and emotional atmosphere was further enriched by the contributions of community artists, including young singer and author Hoang Pham Hai Anh, who showcased a collection of unique, Vietnam-inspired gift products.
Looking to the future, VSAC aims to establish Vietnam Odyssea as an annual flagship event. The association plans to enhance its collaboration with the Curtin Student Guild and other international student groups. This initiative seeks not only to amplify Vietnamese culture on campus but also to strengthen the long-standing cultural ties between Vietnam and Australia.
