The 2nd Phase of Beneath the Non La: Grow and Make It Happen
Background Information
Our Untold Stories project, ‘Beneath Non La,’ through which we consulted with more than 1000 people through a network of 10 organisations and other activities. This provoked a sense of pride in people of Vietnamese heritage currently settled in London, as well as welcoming those who have newly arrived or are just visiting by seeing themselves represented in the fabric of the city. VFP has been nurturing a strong, connected Vietnamese diaspora where children, young adults, elders, and families, empower them to thrive in wider British society.
The primary aim of the new piece of work is to spotlight and celebrate Vietnamese communities in London, which have historically been invisible and often overlooked in our contributions to British society. Due to its economic opportunities and existing communities, many Vietnamese people reside in the London Borough of Lewisham, so we decided to focus our project on uncovering and illuminating little-known histories.
Vietnamese Family Partnership, in partnership with London-based The Museum of the Home and the Albany, is planning a Deptford-based public art project. We hope that this project will help people of all backgrounds to see different areas and communities a little differently; to know that, behind particular facades, whether it’s a building, a street, or a row of shops, there are long histories of immigration, of labour, family, and community.
Project Description - Phase 2
The project will seek to illuminate and increase the representation of the Vietnamese community and events that make up part of the history of Britain's East and South East Asians.
We aim to commission artists and creators of Vietnamese heritage to create this public artwork and landmark.
This project is of significance and importance to us, as it seeks to build on the foundations of the first-ever Vietnamese marker in a public space - a space for Vietnamese Londoners and beyond not only to feel seen but also to be celebrated, as we so rarely have been.
Key Dates for the Project
May 2023: Lobbying - seeking views and support; Community leader in acquiring permission from the council to use chosen public space.
June 2023: Community consultation on selected public spaces; Commissioning artists and getting the first draft of the artwork.
August 2023 Lobbying - seeking views and support; Continuation – producing the sharing/exhibition; semifinal the design of the artwork.
October 2023: Getting appropriate permissions; Auditing/ commissioning the building of the final artwork.
Feb 2024: Launch of the Artwork at Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration 2024.
March 2024: Evaluation and Final Report.
The 1st Phase of Beneath the Non La: Public Consultation
Project Description - Phase 1
The project title alludes to all that might be hidden under a traditional Vietnamese hat - a metaphor for all that is unseen in the Vietnamese community. We collected creative ideas for a public landmark artwork to celebrate the presence and contribution of the Vietnamese diaspora in London. These ideas formed a public exhibition that engaged further ideas and interests.
Our aim is to increase the visibility and awareness of this established, vibrant community in the Deptford and Lewisham areas. The project idea was shaped by a steering group of Vietnamese creatives, producers, community leaders, and people who use our services.
In the first phase, we worked with British Vietnamese artists who led a series of 10 creative conversations with a range of community audiences. The purpose was to understand the factors that shape Vietnamese identity and highlight the contribution to British-Vietnamese community life.
The participants actively engaged with these themes and contributed their ideas through various art forms, such as design, illustration, object handling, sharing experiences on audio, and the use of images. Over the course of ten weeks, they produced a series of creative outputs.
On 16th October 2022, these creative outputs were shared at an exhibition in the Deptford Lounge, reaching out to the wider public and the Vietnamese community. This exhibition provided the foundation for envisioning what the final public landmark artwork would look like.
Why is this project needed?
There are 33,000 people in London identifying as Vietnamese, with around a third being located in Lewisham, Southwark, and Hackney. Despite the fact that some of the first Vietnamese people in the UK settled in Lewisham - and Deptford specifically houses a large proportion of the Vietnamese community - their presence still remains uncelebrated.
One of the main barriers this community faces is visibility; we are often hidden and not widely celebrated in public spaces. The public artwork will help to address this and highlight that such representation does not exist in London.
Through this piece of work, we aim to provoke a sense of pride in Vietnamese people currently settled in London, as well as welcome those who have newly arrived or are just visiting by seeing themselves represented in the fabric of the city.
Our organisation nurtures a strong, connected Vietnamese diaspora where children, young adults, elders, and families, empower them to thrive in the wider British society.
Our long term goal is to work closely with the Vietnamese community to co-create something that strongly represents the Vietnamese experience.
‘Beneath the Non La’ Workshop Information
Behind the Scenes of Conical Hat Making in Our Workshop
Unveiling Stories: The Meaning Behind a Handmade Conical Hat
In our workshop, every iconic Non La, the Vietnamese traditional hat, carries with it a profound tale, intricately woven into its creation. Each hat becomes a visual embodiment of the individual who wears it, narrating their unique story and heritage. Join us as we unveil the captivating narratives that lie beneath the brim of these handmade masterpieces, celebrating the diverse experiences and rich cultural heritage they represent.
A Glimpse into Elegance: Conical Hat Exhibition at our Vietnamese Autumn Festival
Experience the beauty and artistry of conical hats at the Vietnamese Autumn Festival exhibition. Delve into a collection of unique hats crafted by participants from our workshop, each telling a story of creativity and cultural heritage. Join us as we celebrate the traditions and craftsmanship behind these stunning conical hats, showcasing their beauty and significance in an immersive exhibition at the festival.
Insights from Participants in Our Workshop
Question 1: Where do you best feel at home as a Vietnamese in London, and why?
“Eating in Vietnamese restaurants and in my online class. The food and language connect me with my parents and remind me of Vietnam.”
“Deptford because that is where Vietnamese people have the biggest community .“
“Participating in Vietnamese events and supporting the Vietnamese community makes me feel like I belong, and it helps me have a better understanding of myself being half Vietnamese. I enjoy supporting Vietnamese artists in London too, and I also feel good when going to Vietnamese restaurants.”
Question 2: How would you describe the challenges faced by the Vietnamese people living in London?
“Trying to maintain their language and culture through generations. If they don't speak English, accessing public services, family connection if language is a barrier and cultural differences exist between generations.”
“It has always will be the language barrier and knowing the different help they can receive.”
“Language is a big barrier for Vietnamese in the UK, resulting in having little access to information in services in the UK, so it affects our employment, parenting, and integration into society in the UK…”
“I think the biggest challenge faced by Vietnamese people in London is the sense of community and home.”
“Unfortunately, lots of racism and discrimination due to being Asian in a high populated western country, especially after corona.”
Question 3: What does the Vietnamese community already contribute to London/Lewisham/UK?
“Food, language classes, cultural events such as festival events in public spaces.”
“I feel the Vietnamese community has helped many less fortunate than myself. “
“We have been bringing Vietnamese culture to contribute to the diverse culture in the UK. For example: During the recent Covid epidemic, Vietnamese people also did a lot of charity work, such as donating and giving masks, clothes, and meals to doctors and nurses in the hospital to fight the epidemic. Illness..etc.”
“They contribute to a community of kindness and hard work.”
“The art/creative scene is slowly building specifically for the Vietnamese diaspora, e.g., museum of the home.”
“They tried their best to make Vietnamese people in the UK remember their roots and integrate into everyday life in the UK.”
Question 4: How and what would make you feel more connected to the community?
“Interest groups that bring people together. E.g., Film, gardening, reading groups.”
“I would like to see more events to bring the community together.”
“Organising and participating in community events brings a meaning of a place to bond and connect with Vietnamese people in the UK.
“More opportunities to interact with Vietnamese people in London.”
“It is the visibility in any public space e.g. a street corner where there are restaurants, shops…. with Vietnamese names (Deptford).“