Victoria Street Lunar Festival 2025

VIP & Guest Speakers

We’re excited to bring the vibrant spirit of the Lunar New Year to Victoria Street, North Richmond! Get ready for a celebration filled with multicultural flavors, lively entertainment, and engaging activities for the whole family.

Key Festival Details:

  • Date: Sunday, February 2, 2025

  • Time: 12 PM to 10 PM | VIP and Opening 1-3.30pm

  • Location: Victoria Street and Nicholson Street, Abbotsford

Festival Highlights:

  • Street Food Stalls offering delicious, multicultural flavors.

  • Live Music & Entertainment to keep the vibes festive.

  • Family Activities:

  • Children’s Workshops

  • Banh Chung Rice Cake Making

  • Banh Mi Eating Contests

  • Snake and Reptile Encounters

  • The full festival program will be available one week prior on our website and social media. Stay tuned!

VIP Program

We’re pleased to invite you to our VIP opening and networking event 1-3.30pm

Key Information:

  • Arrival Time: 12:30 PM

  • Opening Ceremony:

  • Officially begins at 1 PM at the corner of Nicholson and Victoria Streets - the traffic will be busy on the day.

  • Speeches are scheduled to be 2–3 minutes each.

  • The final order of speeches will be shared on the day.

  • Networking & Light Lunch:

  • Refreshment takes place at Otao Kitchen (393 Victoria Street, Abbotsford).

  • Enjoy finger foods and beverages while connecting with our partners and traders.

  • Ends at approximately 3:30 PM.

Parking Instructions:

  • Location: The Hive Shopping Center, 313 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067 - next to the opening stage.

  • Complimentary parking is available for VIPs:

  • Park your car at The Hive Shopping Center.

  • Find a parking machine upon exit, enter your car registration, and use the provided ticket.

  • For issues or assistance, contact Ha or Eddie on site.

FAQs

. How many people are expected to attend the event?

  • Approximately 30,000–40,000 attendees are expected.

What is the event running order?

The event will include the following key segments:

  • Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country by MC Bruce Quang Hien

  • Australian & Vietnamese Anthems

  • Minute of silence

  • Speeches

  • Ha Nguyen, President, Victoria Street Business Association

  • The Hon. Enver Erdogan MP, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Corrections, & Youth Justice

  • Mr. Trung Luu MP, Shadow Assistant Minister for Police, Corrections, & Crime Prevention

  • Mr. Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Federal Australian Greens

  • Ms. Gabrielle De Vietri MP, State Member for Richmond (Australian Green Party)

  • Mayor Stephen Jolly, City of Yarra

  • Ms. Vivienne Nguyen, Chairperson, Victorian Multicultural Commission

  • Ms. Cam Nguyen, AVWA Founder & President

  • Ms. Nicky Chung, AVWA Co-Founder

  • Ms. Tammy Nguyen / Mr. Bruce Mildenhall, Vietnamese Museum Australia

  • Mr. Quang Duy Nguyen, Vietnamese Community in Australia (Victoria Chapter)

  • Mr. Bruce Shaw / Mr. Paul Horton, Collingwood Rotary Presidents

  • Lion dance and firecrackers

Are there parking arrangements?

  • Location: The Hive Shopping Center, 313 Victoria St, Abbotsford VIC 3067.

  • Complimentary parking is available for VIPs:

  • Park your car at The Hive Shopping Center.

  • Find a parking machine upon exit, enter your car registration, and use the provided ticket.

  • For issues or assistance, contact Ha or Eddie on site.

Who should I contact for assistance on the day?

Ground contacts are available and can be reached at the following numbers:

  • Eddie Nguyen – 0422 127 399

  • Ha Nguyen – 0408 217 899

  • Florence Tran – 0401 215 800

Are guest speakers expected to speak, and when?

  • Yes, all guest speakers will deliver a speech. Exact times will be provided on the event day.

When will guest speakers depart the event?

  • From 3:30 PM onwards.

Will there be any media coverage at the event?

  • Media outlets such as SBS, Viettimes, and Nhat Quyen VNTV have been invited.

What is the recommended dress code?

  • Formal attire or traditional Vietnamese clothing is appropriate.

Are there any cultural protocols for MPs to follow?

  • No specific protocols are required.

Additional Event Information:

  • Location: Victoria Street, Richmond, Australia—a hub of Vietnamese culture and history.

  • Significance: The event celebrates multiculturalism, 50 years of Vietnamese settlement in Australia (2025), and the 10th anniversary of the Victoria Street Gateway.

This annual celebration promotes community harmony, safety, and cultural richness in one of Melbourne's most vibrant neighborhoods.

What is the Victoria Street Business Association (VSBA)?

  • Legacy: The first Vietnamese association in Australia, representing over 50 years of Vietnamese community contributions.

  • Achievements:

  • Founders of the Vietnamese Lunar Festival

  • Iconic Victoria Street Gateway (2014)

  • Advocacy for traders, cultural preservation, and securing funding for multicultural festivals and revitalization projects.

  • Recent Milestones:

  • Secured $200,000 for the Victoria Street Revitalization Project in 2025 /2026

  • Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia (2025), 25 years of VSBA, and 10 years of the Gateway.

The VSBA continues to transform Victoria Street into a multicultural hub, fostering community pride and unity.