Australia's first Vietnamese cultural centre and museum is a step closer to reality, with construction ahead of schedule and a major milestone reached this week.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt and Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman visited the project site in Sunshine to mark the roof concrete pour - a significant achievement taking place two weeks earlier than planned.
Practical completion of the building is scheduled for March 2026, with the museum expected to open later that year following the installation of galleries and exhibitions.
The Vietnamese Museum Australia (VMA) Board has confirmed the museum will adopt a new trading name - Vietnamese Refugee Museum Australia - to better reflect its purpose of preserving and sharing the stories of Vietnamese refugees and their families, who form the foundation of today's Vietnamese Australian community.
The new name follows extensive consultation with community and faith leaders across Australia, with the museum to showcase Vietnamese culture in all its richness with a mission to honour the past, engage with the present and inspire future generations.
The Labor Government has contributed almost $10 million towards the project, which will provide a dedicated space for exhibitions, education and community events. Once complete, the museum will join the Multicultural Museums Victoria network, recognising the unique heritage and contribution of Victoria's diverse communities.
Since 2016, the Government has invested more than $6.8 million in the Vietnamese Museum Australia, acknowledging the importance of the 120,000-plus Victorians of Vietnamese heritage, including more than 93,000 born in Vietnam - making it the fifth largest overseas-born community in the state.
As stated by Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt
"This museum will be a proud first for Victoria and Australia - a place to honour Vietnamese refugee stories and celebrate the community's contributions - and it's wonderful to see construction already ahead of schedule."
As stated by Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
"The Vietnamese Refugee Museum Australia will be a landmark in Melbourne's west - a place that honours the resilience of local families, while creating a space for learning, reflection and celebration."
As stated by Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman
"As we mark 50 years of Vietnamese settlement in Australia, this project is a fitting way to acknowledge the enormous contribution of the Vietnamese community to Victoria's multicultural story."
As stated by Vietnamese Museum Australia CEO Tammy Nguyen
"The roof pour is an exciting milestone that shows our community's vision coming to life and the new name reflects our core purpose - honouring refugee journeys while celebrating Vietnamese culture."
