Dancing, dressing up, and bringing a little bit of home to Ateneo
When my Vietnamese friend invited us to participate in a cultural event at Ateneo de Manila University, I didn’t hesitate for long. We were given the chance to perform a traditional Vietnamese dance alongside other Vietnamese students and friends, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to share a little piece of home with the people around us.
Living in the Philippines has already introduced me to so many new experiences, but this one felt different. Instead of being the person learning about another culture, I got to share my own.
A little piece of home
Arriving at Ateneo felt a little surreal
Dressed in my áo dài, I couldn’t help but feel a little more connected to home. Being surrounded by a completely different environment while wearing something so traditionally Vietnamese was a reminder that I could bring my culture with me wherever I went.
Then came the part we had been waiting for
Together with my Vietnamese friends, we dressed in traditional áo dài and carried nón lá, the iconic Vietnamese conical hats. Seeing all of us together made me realize how much more meaningful the performance felt because we weren’t doing it alone.
Traditional doesn’t have to mean boring
Outside the performance, we also got to enjoy the event, take photos, and dress up in different áo dài. The bright colors, flowers, decorations, and smiles made the whole experience feel like a little Vietnamese celebration in the middle of Manila.
For a moment, Manila felt a little closer to home
Sitting together in our traditional clothes, surrounded by Vietnamese decorations, was one of those small moments that made me appreciate having other Vietnamese friends here. Being away from Vietnam can sometimes feel lonely, but experiences like this make that distance feel a little smaller.
Culture is better when it’s shared
What I loved most about the event was seeing Vietnamese culture become something we could share with people from different backgrounds. It wasn’t just about performing a traditional dance. It was about meeting people, celebrating together, and giving others a glimpse of where we come from.
Bringing home with me
Participating in the event reminded me that being an international student doesn’t mean leaving my culture behind. If anything, being away from Vietnam has made me appreciate it even more.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the Philippines learning about Filipino culture, but this experience allowed me to see my own culture from a different perspective. Performing a Vietnamese dance in Manila made me realize that culture isn’t something that has to stay within the borders of the place it came from.
Sometimes, you can bring a little bit of home somewhere else, and let it become part of someone else’s experience, too.
And honestly? That’s pretty pho real. 🍜
Vietnamese girl + Manila college life = endless culture shocks. I’m a Communication Arts student exploring the funny, surprising, and sometimes confusing differences between Vietnam and the Philippines. Basically, I’m here to answer one question: Pho real? 🍜