Vietnam Lantern Festival in Darwin, Australia Draws Nearly 5,000

The 5th Vietnam Lantern Festival in Darwin, Australia, attracted nearly 5,000 participants. This event has solidified its position as a representative cultural event for the Vietnamese community in Darwin, contributing to promoting Vietnam's image, fostering the active role of the Vietnamese diaspora, and strengthening friendship between the peoples of the two countries. On September 5, during his working visit to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia, Vietnamese Consul General in Perth, Pham Hai Anh, attended and delivered the opening speech for the 2026 Vietnam Lantern Festival. This marks the 5th time this unique festival has been held in Darwin. The festival's attendees included Marie-Clare Boothby, Minister for Tourism of the Northern Territory; Jinson Anto Charls, Minister for Multicultural Affairs of the Northern Territory; Robyn Cahill, Minister for Trade, Business and Asian Relations; along with many federal and territory parliamentarians, the Mayor of Darwin, and approximately 5,000 residents and tourists. In his opening remarks, Consul General Pham Hai Anh congratulated the Vietnamese Australian Family Association (AVFA) and the Vietnamese community on the festival's 5th anniversary, acknowledging the persistent contributions of AVFA and numerous volunteers. The festival, which began modestly with about 800 attendees in 2022, has grown to become an event attracting nearly 5,000 people and was honored by the City of Darwin as "Community Event of the Year" in 2024. Consul General Pham Hai Anh emphasized that with the theme "Towards the South and the Mekong Delta," the 2026 Vietnam Lantern Festival is not only an occasion to preserve cultural identity and connect the Vietnamese community with their homeland but also serves as a bridge to bring the image of Vietnam's land and people closer to the Australian people, contributing to nurturing friendship and understanding between the two nations. Amidst the vibrant colors of lanterns, attendees and tourists enjoyed traditional Vietnamese art performances and cuisine, participated in family-friendly activities, wore Vietnamese traditional attire, released lanterns onto the water, and admired a spectacular fireworks display that concluded the event. Over its five editions since 2022, the Vietnam Lantern Festival has gradually affirmed its status as a prominent community cultural event in Darwin, contributing to promoting Vietnam's image, enhancing the active role of the Vietnamese community, and further strengthening the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Australia. Source: Nhan Dan