Construction has officially commenced on a pioneering cultural centre and museum aimed at honouring Vietnamese culture and preserving the narratives of Vietnamese migration in Australia.

Located in the vibrant Melbourne suburb of Sunshine, the architecturally striking three-storey building, envisioned by Konzepte Melbourne, will house a resource centre tailored for educational purposes, a welcoming hospitality section, and a versatile function area capable of hosting events for up to 450 attendees. Moreover, the museum will proudly display a curated collection of over 280 cultural artefacts.

The design concept, as depicted in a statement, showcases a precast concrete façade adorned with gracefully curved, wave-like structures symbolising the diverse journeys undertaken by individuals during the Vietnamese diaspora. The statement further elaborates that the curved rooflines and rhythmic façade design draw inspiration from the elegant form of bamboo, while the warm earthy red colour chosen for the exterior pays homage to the distinctive Australian landscape.

In 2022, the Department of Home Affairs revealed that Australia is home to 281,810 individuals born in Vietnam, establishing the Vietnamese-born community as the sixth largest migrant group in the nation.

Member for St Albans, Natalie Suleyman, highlighted that 2025 marks the significant 50th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia. She expressed, "What better way to acknowledge the important contribution of our Vietnamese community than by investing in Australia’s first Vietnamese museum."

Introduced in 2020, the proposed project has faced significant delays and a relocation. Initially, the project was designated to be situated at 222 Barkly Street in Footscray, Melbourne. By mid-2022, the Maribyrnong City Council granted planning approval for this site with the stipulation that an agreement be reached between the museum and a neighbouring landowner regarding the placement of loading facilities. The Vietnamese Museum of Australia (VMA) committee later submitted a request to eliminate this requirement, which was turned down by the council in 2023, leading to the abandonment of plans for the museum at 222 Barkly Street.

In December 2023, the Brimbank City Council engaged in a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the VMA to explore an alternative location for the cultural building in Sunshine, Melbourne. Following a period of community engagement, the Brimbank City Council announced in early 2024 the sale of a council-owned parking area to the VMA for the museum's development.

The Victorian government has allocated $8.7 million towards the realisation of this cultural landmark. While the anticipated completion date remains pending, the project signifies a significant milestone in celebrating and preserving Vietnamese heritage within the Australian cultural landscape.

Source: Architecture, Au

Image Source: Konzepte Melbourne

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