Who We Are
The Vietnamese Community in Australia NSW Chapter (VCA/NSW) was originally formed in 1978. Following the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on April 30th 1975, an exodus of Vietnamese fled the country by boat to escape persecution from the Vietnamese Communist government. They would be later known as Vietnamese boat refugees. In the late 1970’s, the Liberal Government under the Late Honourable Malcolm Fraser opened the doors to Vietnamese refugees. Almost 50 years later, according to the 2021 ABS Census, there are 334,000 people of Vietnamese ancestry now in Australia. NSW, with 124,000, remains the state with the largest Vietnamese community. VCA/NSW was formed to help address the settlement needs and to be the voice of the Vietnamese refugees in NSW.
Our Purpose
To represent the voice of the Vietnamese Australian refugee community in NSW
To assist Vietnamese residents residing in New South Wales in the process of settlement and contribute to the development of a multicultural Australia.
To preserve, enhance and promote Vietnamese tradition & cultural heritage.
To advocate for freedom, democracy & human rights for Vietnam.
VCA/NSW is independent of all political parties and organisations
Structure
Of all the Vietnamese diasporas around the world, the Vietnamese Community in Australia is arguably the most organised, cohesive and united. We can proudly say that the Vietnamese Community in Australia speaks with one voice. We have a federal structure with each state and territory having its own chapter. Each chapter has their own unique constitution tailored to meet the needs of their respective community.
The VCA/NSW Constitution stipulates that there is to be an election of a new Management Committee and Advisory and Supervisory Council every 2 years.