After a successful first year in Calgary in 2022, Vietnam NOW Festival is officially returning on Aug. 18-19, 2023.
Organized by Saigon-based, Toronto-raised arts and culture curator Linh Phan, the festival will take place at two local venues, nvrlnd. and The Prairie Emporium. Both days will offer attendees many opportunities to experience dynamic aspects of Vietnamese culture from film screenings to artwork, unique foods and more.
“Last August, we had over 300 people come through the one-day festival, so with two days of programming, we’re excited to see even more people soak up what Vietnam NOW has to offer this year,” adds Phan.
Friday, Aug. 18 at nvrlnd. will be full of exploration, culture, networking and fun including a panel discussion with Vietnamese-Canadian creatives, film screening of a Vietnamese feature film, Empress 1908 Gin Vietnamese-inspired cocktails, and music by DJ catfishthewizard.
Saturday, Aug. 19 at The Prairie Emporium will begin at 4 p.m. and offer food stalls by Pure Street Food and Một Tô, Vietnamese, Vietnamese-inspired cocktails by The Prairie Emporium, indie short film screenings, a cool marketplace full of imported Vietnamese artwork and wares and DJs superkid, Yungkamaji and Creeasian spinning tunes until midnight.
“We’re really excited to be back in Calgary, collaborating with old and new friends from the Vietnamese communities in Canada and Vietnam. The Vietnam Now Festival provides a safe space to show that Vietnam goes beyond the Vietnam War, bánh mì, phở, and conical hats,” explains organizer Linh Phan. “It’s an opportunity for those in the community, as well as those outside of it, to discover what being Vietnamese now is all about; to change the perception of Vietnam; to build and uplift the community; and showcase some amazing talent!”
Tickets for Vietnam NOW Festival YYC 2023 range from $10 (Friday) and $15 (Saturday) to $20 (two-day pass) can be purchased now via Showpass.
