"I connect with my heritage in quiet, personal ways”

Royal Roads University is proud to celebrate Asian Heritage Month this May. Our 2025 theme, Cultural Threads, invites us to honour the rich traditions, diverse languages and creative arts that shape and connect Asian communities. Throughout the month, we’ve invited students to share more about their Asian heritage and what this month means to them.

Trang Luong, MA in Intercultural and International Communication

What does Asian Heritage Month mean to you?

Asian Heritage Month feels like a warm welcome for me, a newcomer. It helps me find my community and makes me feel like my representation is valid. It allows me to honour the richness and resilience of my cultural roots while recognizing the diversity and contributions of Asian communities across Canada and beyond

How do you connect with and celebrate your Asian heritage?

I connect with my heritage in both quiet, personal ways and through shared experiences with my community. Whether it’s preparing traditional dishes, celebrating Lunar New Year, or listening to Vietnamese music, these rituals ground me. I also connect through academic and personal exploration of Vietnamese history, language, and social issues, which deepens my appreciation for my roots.

What cultural traditions from your heritage have had the biggest influence on your identity?

Tết (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) and Trung Thu (Vietnamese Mid Autumn) have had the most profound influence on my identity. The way family members gather, honor ancestors, share meals and exchange wishes for luck and prosperity teaches me the values of gratitude and respect that continue to guide me both in personal life and in my academic journey.

How has language shaped your connection to your cultural roots?

The Vietnamese language holds more than just words — it holds emotions, traditions and cultural wisdom. It was created as proof through 1000 years of oppression. I was a copywriter in Vietnam. Words are my greatest weapon, which I weaved as my unique expression to a long history of literature, folk songs and proverbs, carrying on the nuances of thought and expression.

Can you share a particular art form, craft or performance that is significant in your culture?

Hát Bội (Traditional Opera) is a form of chamber music blending storytelling and music, with expressive masks and costumes to perform on stage, usually about the war time during the 13th century. It reflects both the artistic sensibility and the resilience of Vietnamese cultural identity. I actually have a tattoo on my arm of that mask.

How do traditional clothing and textiles reflect the history and values of your culture?

Áo dài (a long tunic) is our symbol of grace, respect and cultural pride. The flowing lines and elegant simplicity of the áo dài speak to the value placed on harmony and balance in Vietnamese aesthetics. 

But my personal go-to has always been Áo yếm (a garment worn underneath the traditional costumes in history). Though it has a bold cut with a strap tightened around your neck, it shows the feminism of our women in history, as a silent icon that supports behind Áo dài.

What advice would you give to younger generations about embracing their cultural heritage?

I would encourage younger generations to see their heritage not as something static but as a living part of their identity, as an aesthetic. They have been my inspiration for my creative work, my tattoos and my identity.

How can communities work together to celebrate and share the richness of Asian arts and traditions?

Communities can celebrate Asian arts and traditions by creating welcoming spaces for dialogue and storytelling, hosting cultural festivals, workshops and exhibitions that highlight the diverse voices within Asian heritage

Want to keep the celebrations going? Visit our Asian Heritage Month webpage for voices, videos, events, resources and more. 

To learn more about a diversity of cultures from across our campus community, mark your calendars for our May 15 RRU’s Global Showcase. Luong will join students from across RRU to celebrate global fashion, food and fun. Stop by the Vietnam table and say ‘hi’. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more.