Spreading Vietnamese culture at festivals in Canada

During the weekends of July and August, hundreds of thousands of people and tourists flock to festival areas to enjoy cuisine , admire art and explore cultural quintessence from more than 100 countries, including Vietnam.

In Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, the multicultural festival called Heritage Festival 2025 took place last weekend. Despite the light rain, crowds still flocked to the venue. Right from the entrance, visitors were captivated by the vibrant music and the fragrant aroma of hundreds of dishes from all over the world. The colorful stalls included spicy grilled chicken from Malaysia and Singapore, crispy and sweet "elephant ear" cakes from Hungary, exotic Cuban cocktails, or cool pearl milk tea from Taiwan (China). The Vietnamese stall this year became a special highlight. Along with strong filter coffee and hot pho, the image of the conical hat and traditional ao dai brought a sense of familiarity and charm to a foreign land.

For the Vietnamese community in Canada, this festival is not only a place for cultural exchange but also a reminder of home. Ms. Nguyen Thu Trang, an international student in Toronto, shared: “Passing by the Vietnamese booth, smelling the coffee filter and seeing the conical hat, I feel like I am returning to the countryside market. In the middle of a faraway land, those familiar images make me feel warm.”

Children try on Vietnamese conical hats at Heritage Festival 2025, Canada

Not only cuisine, the festival is also a great folk art stage of the world . Dance groups and music groups take turns performing to the resounding applause of the audience. The graceful Vietnamese Ao Dai on the stage is mixed with colorful Indian dances or strong Japanese drums. In addition, handicraft booths selling paper fans, paper umbrellas, traditional costumes... create a multi-ethnic but still harmonious and warm picture.

In just 3 days, tourists can “travel around the world” right in Canada, enjoy delicious food, shop for handicrafts, watch art performances and most importantly, feel the spirit of integration spreading. For many Vietnamese, it is also a journey connecting their homeland and new land, where national culture is not only preserved but also shines in the international community. Mr. Van Minh, a Vietnamese businessman who has lived in Canada for nearly 10 years, believes that this is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to promote the image of the country. “When international friends enjoy pho, banh mi or Vietnamese coffee, they will remember Vietnam as a friendly and hospitable destination.”

Canada has long been known as one of the most open countries in the world in terms of immigration. More than 20% of the country's population are immigrants from all continents. The Canadian government considers immigration not only an economic driver but also a foundation for building a society where every community has a place and is encouraged to preserve its own identity. Multicultural festivals are a living proof of that policy. Not only do they help immigrant communities promote their homeland, but they also create opportunities for local people to understand and appreciate diversity. Friendly conversations over a cup of coffee, or the excitement of trying a strange dish, all contribute to bridging gaps and strengthening social cohesion.

At the same time, the festivals also contribute to promoting the image of Canada on the international stage: a dynamic, open, inclusive country that still honors traditional values. That is also the reason why the festival has become one of the most anticipated summer events, attracting a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

PHAM THU

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/lan-toa-van-hoa-viet-tai-le-hoi-o-canada-post808789.html