In recent years, with the government’s promotion of the New Southbound Policy, Vietnamese immigrants in Taiwan have not only worked to overcome homesickness but also faced numerous challenges in their daily lives. A group of Vietnamese women in Tainan City founded the Tainan City New Sunlight Association to promote cultural exchange between immigrants and the local community, actively fostering cultural integration. This year, the association established a cultural exchange hub called "Vietnamese Home Village" in Houbi District, where the public can not only enjoy Vietnamese cuisine but also experience traditional clothing, promoting deeper cultural exchange between Taiwan and Vietnam.
The New Sunlight Association’s new base, "Vietnamese Home Village," invites the public to savor Vietnamese cuisine (Photo/Source: China Times News Network).
Since its establishment in 2019, the association has dedicated itself to helping immigrant families adapt to life in Taiwan and supporting the growth of women and the second generation. Currently, the association has 45 members from countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia. Chairperson Pan Yu-Shan stated that the association initially faced numerous administrative challenges, but she persevered and gradually overcame them, encouraging members to participate in various training programs. Many women have since transitioned from housewives to language teachers for immigrants. Pan herself continues to motivate members to pursue learning and currently serves as a lecturer at an open university.
Beyond language education, the association actively helps immigrants rebuild their lives. For instance, a mother who lost her ability to work after a car accident while employed at a dairy farm learned nail art through the association’s support and successfully opened her own business, stabilizing her family’s finances. In another case, the association assisted a mother who had lived in Taiwan without legal status for many years to obtain legal residency, allowing her to live securely in Taiwan.
This year, the association launched its second hub, Vietnamese Home Village, in the Changduanshu community of Houbi District, offering more opportunities for cultural exchange. Located in a traditional Vietnamese-style house adorned with authentic decorations and plants, the hub provides visitors with a strong sense of home. Pan shared that since its establishment, Vietnamese Home Village has attracted visits from schools and organizations, where participants have enjoyed wrapping spring rolls, trying on traditional Vietnamese clothing, and gaining a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture.
The New Sunlight Association’s new base, "Vietnamese Home Village," is located within a quaint and traditional old house (Photo/Source: China Times News Network).
The Tainan City New Sunlight Association has long been dedicated to promoting cultural exchange and integration between Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Located in the Changduanshu community of Houbi, the Vietnamese Home Village serves as a dedicated hub for Vietnamese cultural exchange. In the future, it will offer diverse programs and experiences covering various aspects of Vietnamese culture, cuisine, language, and clothing. The goal is to help more people understand Vietnam’s unique customs and traditions, with the hope that Vietnamese Home Village will become a model site for cultural exchange between Taiwan and Vietnam.
