Vietnamese diaspora in Australia preserves cultural heritage through music

The Viet-Aus Culture Exchange Organisation (VACEO) is conducting weekly dance and traditional music classes in Bankstown, Sydney, to help the Vietnamese diaspora preserve their language and cultural heritage. These Saturday sessions focus on teaching children traditional instruments, such as the ‘trong com’ (a cylindrical drum), and various dance forms.

Students are currently rehearsing for the upcoming ‘Viet Soul 3’ performance, themed ‘Imprints of Alluvium’, scheduled for October 17 at the Bryan Brown Theatre. Instructors, including Minh Ha Patmore and dancer Bach Van, aim to connect younger generations with their roots by teaching the cultural stories, traditional costumes, and regional customs associated with Vietnamese music and dance.