Victoria Street

Lunar Festival 2026

VIP, Guest Speakers & Media

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome you to the Lunar New Year Festival on Victoria Street, North Richmond. This annual celebration brings together community, culture and commerce, showcasing the vibrant multicultural spirit that defines Victoria Street.

Join us for an afternoon of ceremonial performances, official proceedings and networking, followed by a full-day festival featuring food, entertainment and family-friendly activities.

Key Festival Details

Date: Sunday, 1 February 2026
Festival Time: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
VIP & Official Opening: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Victoria Street & Nicholson Street, Abbotsford

On-the-Day Contacts

  • Andrew Phu: 0413 805 366

  • Ha Nguyen: 0408 217 899

  • Florence Tran: 0401 215 800

Festival Highlights

  • Multicultural street food stalls

  • Lion dance and fire crackers

  • Live music and cultural performances

  • Family activities including rides, games and children’s workshops

  • Bánh Mì Eating Competition

  • “Horse” Art photo opportunities

VIP Program Overview

We are pleased to invite you to attend the VIP Opening Ceremony and Networking Event.

Key Information

VIP Arrival: From 11:45 AM
Opening Ceremony:

  • Commences at 12:00 PM

  • Location: Corner of Nicholson Street and Victoria Street

  • Speeches will be 2–3 minutes each

  • Final speaking order will be confirmed on the day

Networking & Light Lunch:

  • From approximately 2:00 PM

  • Location: Otao Kitchen, 393 Victoria Street, Abbotsford 3067

  • Enjoy finger food and refreshments while networking with VIP partners, traders and community leaders

  • Conclusion: Approximately 2:30 PM

Hosts

Ha Nguyen 0408 217 899

Andrew Phu 0413 805 366

Florence Tran ‭0401 215 800‬

Canh Vinh

Opening Ceremony

Running Order (Indicative)

  • 12:00 – MC Thao Nguyen – Opening

  • 12:02 – Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation – Welcome & Didgeridoo (Yidaki) Performance by Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr Jnr

  • 12:22 – Australian National Anthem & Vietnamese Anthem

  • 12:24 – Mr Ha Nguyen – President, Victoria Street Business Association (VSBA)

  • 12:29 – AVAC Performance: Ly Ngua O – Renewed

  • 12:35 – MC – Sponsor Acknowledgements

  • 12:38 – Cr Stephen Jolly – Mayor, City of Yarra

  • 12.40 – Hon Enver Erdogan MP - Member for Northern Metropolitan Region, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice

  • 12.42 – Hon Natalie Suleyman MP – Minister for Veterans; Minister for Small Business and Employment; Minister for Youth (Victoria)

  • 12.44 – Mr Evan Mulholland MP – Shadow Minister for Transport Infrastructure; Shadow Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Affairs

  • 12.46 – Mr Trung Luu MP – Member for Western Metropolitan Region; Shadow Assistant Minister for Police, Corrections and Crime Prevention

  • 12.48 – Ms Gabrielle De Vietri MP – State Member for Richmond (Greens)

  • 12.50 – Hon Sarah Witty MP – Member for Melbourne

  • 12:52 – Austin & Dancers – Young Violinist & Emerging Talent Performance

  • 12:58 – Ms Vivienne Nguyen – Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission

  • 13.00 – Mr Quang Duy Nguyen – President, Vietnamese Community in Australia (Victoria Chapter)

  • 13:04 – Ms Bich Cam Nguyen OAM President, & Ms Thanh Kham Tran Dang Vice President and Ms Nicky Chung – CEO , AVWA

  • 13:06 – Mr Paul Horton – President, Collingwood Rotary & Mr Bruce Shaw – Secretary

  • 13.08 – Ms Tammy Nguyen / Mr Bruce Mildenhall – Vietnamese Museum Australia

  • 1:11 – AVAC Choir – Thank You, Australia

  • 1:20 – Kuan Yee & Fei Ying Lion Dance Group – Lion Dance & Firecrackers

Note: Program times are indicative and subject to change on the day.

Acknowlegements

  • Victoria Government: Hon Natalie Suleyman MP and Hon Enver Erdogan MP

  • Victoria State Parliament : Mr Evan Mulholland MP, Mr Trung Luu MP, Ms Gabrielle De Vietri MP

  • Federal Parliament Ms Sarah Witty MP

  • Yarra: Cr Crossland, Cr Davies, Cr Aston, Cr Gomez, Cr McKenzie, Cr Ho, Cr Harrison, Cr Wade and Mayor Cr Jolly

  • Brimbank Cr Kim Thien Truong

  • Maribyrnong Cr Cuc Lam

  • VCA: Mr Quang Duy Nguyen president, Tan Hai Nguyen

  • AVWA Ms Bich Cam Nguyen OAM President, Ms Thanh Kham Tran Dang OAM Vice President, Ms Nicky Chung CEO

  • AVAC Ms Mai Nguyen President, Hung Nguyen - Vice President

  • Collingwood Rotary Mr Paul Horton, Mr Bruce Shaw

  • FABA Mr Ky and Mr Duc Dung Tran, Ms Thuy Kim Le

  • Bridge Road Trader Mr Jeremy Hope

  • VSBA: Mr Ha Nguyen President, Mr Andrew Phu, Ms Florence Tran

Parking Information

VIP Parking Location:

  • The Hive Shopping Centre, 313 Victoria Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067 (adjacent to the opening stage)

Complimentary Parking for VIPs:

  • Park at The Hive Shopping Centre

  • Upon exit, locate a parking machine

  • Enter your vehicle registration and use the provided parking ticket for free parking

For assistance on arrival, please contact event staff on site.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people are expected to attend?
Approximately 30,000–40,000 attendees throughout the day.

Are guest speakers expected to speak?
Yes. All invited speakers will deliver a short address. Final timings will be confirmed on the day.

When will VIP guests depart?
From approximately 2:30 PM onwards.

Will there be media coverage?
Invited media include ABC, SBS, Korean TV, Viettimes, Nhan Quyen and VNTV.

What is the recommended dress code?
Formal attire or traditional Vietnamese dress is encouraged.

Are there any cultural protocols for MPs?
No specific protocols are required.

About the Victoria Street Business Association (VSBA)

About Victoria Street

Victoria Street, Richmond is a historic and cultural hub of Vietnamese settlement in Australia. The area is currently undergoing revitalisation to become a greener, safer and more walkable destination—active day and night—where local businesses thrive and communities connect.

Who We Are:
VSBA represents local multicultural traders and advocates for a vibrant future for Victoria Street.

Our Vision:
Victoria Street will be a vibrant, safe and inclusive destination that celebrates its multicultural heritage and thriving food culture—a place where businesses flourish, communities connect and people are proud to gather.

Recent Milestones:

  • Secured $100,000 state government over 4 years plus council funding over $36,000 per year for Lunar festival ending in 2027

  • Secured $200,000 for the Victoria Street Revitalisation Project (2025–2026).

  • Continuing advocacy for the Vietnamese Commemorative Marker anticipated June 2026, recognising:

    • 50 years of Vietnamese settlement in Australia (1975)

    • 25 years of VSBA / RABA (2001)

    • 10 years of the Victoria Street Gateway (2014)

Key Milestones – Victoria Street Vietnamese Precinct (Since 1980s)

  • Early 1980s: Victoria Street emerges as Melbourne’s primary Vietnamese commercial and cultural precinct (“Little Saigon”), following post-war Vietnamese settlement.

  • Early 1980s: Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tết) celebrations held at Burnley Oval, laying the foundation for future festivals in Richmond.

  • 1990s–Present: Ongoing Lunar New Year street celebrations and cultural activities associated with Victoria Street.

  • 2001 “Chợ” landmark / Ben Thanh-style market façade (iconic precinct marker)

  • 2014: Installation of the Victoria Street Gateway, a permanent landmark recognising Vietnamese heritage and contribution.

  • 2025–2026: Secured funding and continued advocacy for Victoria Street revitalisation, commemorative plaques, and the proposed Vietnamese Commemorative Marker.

  • Ongoing: Advocacy by VSBA for traders, cultural preservation, place-making and precinct identity.