Faces of the Festival: Vinh Nguyen – Viet Hub NZ
Meet Vinh Nguyen from Viet Hub NZ, a community leader dedicated to creating inclusive, culturally grounded spaces for Vietnamese families and the wider Wellington community. Through hands-on workshops, interactive games and vibrant performances, Viet Hub NZ brings the spirit of Tết to life — inviting people of all ages to participate, connect and celebrate Vietnamese culture as part of the Wellington Lunar New Year Festival programme.
How long have you been involved in the Wellington Lunar New Year Festival and what ethnic community/culture do you associate yourself with?
I’ve been involved in the Wellington Lunar New Year Festival for the past two years through my work with Viet Hub NZ. I identify with the Vietnamese community and culture, and my involvement has grown alongside my broader commitment to creating inclusive, culturally grounded spaces for Vietnamese families and the wider Aotearoa community.
For the 2026 festival, what is your role, and what traditions or elements from your culture are you most excited to share with Wellingtonians this year?
For the 2026 festival, I’m contributing as a community lead through Viet Hub NZ. I’m most excited to share hands-on Vietnamese cultural experiences, including traditional Đông Hồ folk painting workshops — a heritage art form recently recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
We’re also bringing interactive folk activities such as Vietnamese proverb-matching and folk-story games, bamboo dancing (sạp) — a joyful, rhythmic activity that invites people of all ages to join in — as well as musical performances including Chầu Văn and a multicultural traditional costume showcase, reflecting Vietnam’s rich diversity. Vietnam is home to 54 recognised ethnic groups, and we’re proud to highlight that cultural richness.
In addition, we’ll be offering free Polaroid photos so visitors can take home a small memory of the festival.
Lunar New Year is celebrated across many cultures. How does your own cultural heritage shape the way you participate in the festival programme?
Vietnamese culture places a strong emphasis on family, gratitude, and intergenerational connection during Tết (Lunar New Year). This shapes how I design programmes — I prioritise activities that encourage parents and children to participate together, learn side by side, and feel proud of their cultural roots, while also warmly welcoming people from other backgrounds to join in.
What has been a standout or memorable moment for you from past festivals, and why does it continue to inspire your involvement?
One of the most memorable moments for me has been seeing children — especially those growing up away from their parents’ home countries — confidently engaging in cultural activities and explaining them to their friends. I also love how sharing Vietnamese cultural values creates meaningful connections with other cultures represented at the festival.
Last year, our work was recognised when a New Zealand artist purchased a piece created by one of our community members to feature in a music video. Since then, our performances have continued to receive strong support, and we’ve been invited to take part in other festivals to keep sharing Vietnamese culture with wider audiences.
The Wellington Lunar New Year Festival has played an important role in increasing our visibility and connecting us with the wider community. We’ve received wonderful feedback from people who engaged with our cultural games and activities and learned more about Vietnamese traditions. What has been especially meaningful is seeing parents use these moments to introduce their New Zealand–born children — as well as partners, friends, and in-laws — to their heritage. These shared experiences allow families to pass on the culture they grew up with, create deeper connections, and strengthen a sense of belonging and identity. Witnessing this in real time is truly special and continues to inspire my involvement.
Looking ahead to the 2026 celebrations, what is the one highlight you’d encourage people not to miss, and what do you hope it helps them understand about your culture and the wider Lunar New Year community in Wellington?
I’d encourage people not to miss all interactive cultural workshops and cultural performance especially those that invite participation rather than observation. These experiences showcase the richness of New Zealand’s multicultural fabric and allow people to truly engage with the traditions behind Lunar New Year.
I hope they help people understand that Lunar New Year is, at its heart, a time about connection, family, and shared joy, and that it reflects the values different cultures bring together to form Wellington’s vibrant and inclusive community.
