Vietnamese Culture in Support of Indigenous Communities
On Mother’s Day, the Heads of Mission Spouses Association (HOMSA) in Canada organized a charity fair to raise funds in support of Indigenous communities. The event brought together more than 30 diplomatic missions based in Canada, including Vietnam.
HOMSA provides spouses and partners of diplomatic representatives with opportunities to connect, engage in cultural exchange, and deepen their understanding of Canada and Canadian society.
Vietnam was represented by two emerging businesses specializing in tea and coffee, including Song Hỷ Trà, which contributed products to support the event’s fundraising activities.
The Vietnamese booth showcased distinctive products representing the country’s cultural traditions, including tea, coffee, and ceramics. Highlights of the charity auction included a ceramic artwork created by a 10-year-old child in Vietnam and a Lạc Việt tea product featuring the Chim Lạc symbol, made with tea sourced from ancient trees over 300 years old in Ha Giang.
Through its participation, Vietnam introduced international guests to Vietnamese tea culture and traditional products, including coffee and ceramics featuring the lotus, a meaningful cultural symbol of Vietnam.
All products offered at the fair were voluntarily contributed by participating businesses. The proceeds from the charity auction and on-site sales were donated to a Canadian charitable fund supporting Indigenous women.
HOMSA President - Carine Kjelsen reaffirmed the association’s commitment to drawing on the experience and cultural diversity of its members to continue making meaningful contributions to Canadian society and its communities.
"THE PINK TEA” – A Tea Gathering in Celebration of International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day, March 8, “The Pink Tea” brought together tea lovers for an intimate afternoon celebrating women, tea culture, resilience, and cross-cultural connection.
Inspired by the history of women’s gatherings and the story of Canada’s Famous Five, the event used tea as a meaningful way to reflect on women’s strength and the importance of creating spaces for conversation, connection, and community.
At the heart of the gathering was Vietnamese tea culture. Guests were introduced to Hong Oolong tea from Di Linh, Lam Dong, Vietnam, accompanied by a traditional tea demonstration that shared the craftsmanship and cultural values behind Vietnamese tea.
The experience extended beyond tea. Vicky Wang introduced guests to the peaceful sounds of the traditional Chinese Guqin. Together, tea, music, art, and storytelling created a warm cross-cultural experience connecting Vietnamese, Chinese, Canadian, and other cultural perspectives.
More than a tea gathering, The Pink Tea was a celebration of women and a reminder of how cultural traditions can bring people together. Through a simple cup of tea, guests had the opportunity to slow down, share stories, discover different traditions, and build meaningful connections across cultures.
The event was presented by Brew-tea-ful Club and Song Hỷ Trà, with the support of volunteers and community members who helped make the gathering possible.
The Pink Tea reminds us that culture can be experienced in many ways through a cup of tea, a piece of music, a brushstroke, a story, and most importantly, through the connections we create with one another.