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Runway on the Waterfront designers and models, 2026

In the news · Victoria News

Soul of Vietnam festival brings fashion, folk opera to Victoria

Victoria News previews the 2026 runway and cải lương performance.

Press / Soul of Vietnam festival brings fashion, folk opera to Victoria

News clipping

Victoria News previewed the 2026 festival, with a focus on two headline programs: the Runway on the Waterfront fashion show and a performance of Vietnamese folk opera.

Image from the Victoria News story
Photo courtesy of Soul of Vietnam, as published by Victoria News

The story introduced áo dài designer Trần Thiện Khánh, whose collections have appeared at international pageants linked to the Miss World and Miss Grand organizations, and Trần Phương Hoa, founder of Eleven S, who has spent more than a decade in bridal fashion.

“Victoria may be a small city, but it has a warm, welcoming spirit and a genuine love for Vietnamese culture.”

Trần Thiện Khánh, áo dài designer, in Victoria News

It also described the wider day: live music, interactive exhibits, Vietnamese food, and a kids’ zone with traditional games, face painting and a free photo booth. More than 40 vendors and food trucks were expected.

Founder Will Nguyen told the paper the festival is supported by more than 70 volunteers, along with sponsors and community partners. Thao Hoang, public relations and guests coordinator, spoke about volunteering as a way to give back to the Vietnamese community.

“For me, this is more than just a festival, it’s a community celebration.”

Will Nguyen, founder, in Victoria News

The story noted that the festival is funded in part by the City of Victoria and is free to attend.

Source

Victoria News, June 19, 2026, by Nikhil Nikhil.

This page is a short summary by the Soul of Vietnam team, with brief quotes. The full story belongs to Victoria News.

Read the full story on vicnews.com →

Also published in Saanich News.

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The next festival starts with you

Vendors, sponsors and volunteers make the day possible.

Thank you

Thank you to our sponsors, funders and partners

The free festivals in Victoria in 2025 and 2026 happened because these organizations believed in them. Thank you for standing with Vietnamese culture in British Columbia.

City of VictoriaCapital Regional DistrictPhở VươngVictoria Modern Homes, Sophia SongWIZADVand MagazineVictoria BuzzCHEKTiKi TaxHeron Media and CommunicationsTrường Thành Vietnamese RestaurantJanet’s Special TeasEric Lam Immigration ConsultingSt. John AmbulanceLampPost VictoriaBL CreativeThe Sustainable Fox
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