Vancouver’s Vietnam Festival celebrates Vietnamese culture with food, live performances, an artisan market, family-friendly activities and cultural experiences.
Vietnamese Festival in Vancouver
The Vietnam Festival is a two-day event showcasing Vietnamese culture, heritage, food, music, and community in Vancouver. The festival features traditions and cultural experiences from North, Central and South Vietnam.
At the event visitors can enjoy authentic Vietnamese cuisine, cultural products, live entertainment and activities for families. The festival is hosted by the Vietnam Canada Business Association (VCBA) in collaboration with Soul of Vietnam.
Where and When
In 2026 the Vietnam Festival happened on Saturday, September 26th, and Sunday, September 27th. It took place from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm at the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza on both days. The outdoor venue is located at 750 Hornby Street in Vancouver. It will likely happen around the same time in 2027, although exact details are to be confirmed.
The event is free to attend and open to everyone. Visitors can spend the day exploring food vendors, cultural exhibits, live performances, markets and family-friendly activities.
With activities taking place throughout the two-day celebration, the Vietnam Festival offers lots of opportunities to experience Vietnamese culture in one location.
What to Expect
The festival features more than 60 local and international vendors offering authentic Vietnamese cuisine, signature drinks, cultural products and handcrafted goods. International vendors also add a variety of other food, shopping and community offerings.
Vietnamese food is an important part of the festival. Visitors can enjoy Vietnamese coffee, Bánh Mì, street food classics, and refreshing drinks prepared by local chefs and vendors.
The festival’s Artisan Market features handmade crafts, conical hats, traditional souvenirs and other cultural items. The market provides an opportunity to discover products from Vietnamese businesses and artisans.
Live performances showcase Vietnamese arts and traditions. The program includes performances inspired by the traditions of North, Central and South Vietnam as well as modern expressions of Vietnamese identity.
Live Performances
The Vietnam Festival’s live performances feature a range of music, dance, fashion and more throughout the weekend.
In 2026 the opening ceremony took place at 10:30 am on September 26th and included a fashion show and lion dance. A second fashion show took place at 3:00 pm on the same day.
A live V-Pop music performance took place at 11:00 am on September 27th. The festival concluded with a closing ceremony at 6:00 pm on the last day.
Áo Dài Fashion Showcase
A highlight of the festival is the Áo Dài Fashion Showcase. The showcase features designs inspired by the unique traditions of North, Central and South Vietnam and celebrates the beauty and cultural heritage of the Áo Dài.
The collection is designed by Vietnamese fashion designers and presented by models selected through a dedicated casting process. The showcase highlights the elegance, heritage and cultural connections of Vietnamese communities around the world.
Mid-Autumn Festival
The Mid-Autumn Festival section celebrates Trung Thu, a traditional Vietnamese celebration associated with colourful lanterns, lion dances, traditional music, mooncakes and more.
The Family Activity Zone includes simple games and activities for children and families.
Our Experience at the Festival
A couple of members of our team attended the festival. Below is what our Vietnam-Canadian staff person had to say about her experience.
“I really enjoyed the Vietnam Festival, especially the variety of cultural performances and activities. The áo dài fashion show was more of a competition than a traditional catwalk, which made it even more interesting, and there were plenty of dance performances featuring Vietnamese music.
I also appreciated the reasonable food prices, as many vendors kept their prices the same as they would at their restaurants, despite being at a festival. Some of my food recommendations included Vietnamese iced coffee (cà phê sữa đá), fresh spring rolls, crispy fried pork rolls, skewers and banana fritters from Pho 37, No Ne Kitchen and Tuan Thuy Kitchen.
The festival also featured lots of traditional Vietnamese decorations, including nón lá (conical hats), and visitors who arrived early could even receive freebies such as tote bags.”
About the Vietnam Festival
The Vietnam Festival is a celebration of Vietnamese culture, heritage and community in Canada. The festival brings together cultural organizations, businesses, artists, community leaders and families for opportunities to discover Vietnamese traditions and connect with the community.
The 2026 event marked the first edition of the Vietnam Festival in Vancouver. Organizers hope it will become an annual tradition.
The mission of the Vietnam Festival is to celebrate and share Vietnamese culture while creating opportunities for communities, businesses and organizations to connect, collaborate and thrive.
The vision is to establish the Vietnam Festival as Canada’s premier annual Vietnamese cultural celebration and a lasting platform that strengthens community connections, promotes cultural understanding and inspires future generations.
Other Information
To learn more about the event, check out the official Vietnam Festival website.
Other multicultural festivals that might be of interest include the following:
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Another website you might also like is VancouverFoodFestivals.ca.
