UniAction’s Discovery Day Celebrates Vietnamese Heritage and Raises $12,000 for La Maison Chance in Vietnam

August 30, 2015 - UniAction’s Discovery Day at Montréal’s Musée Pointe-à-Callière was not only a celebration of culture and history—it was also an act of generosity and solidarity. The event successfully raised $12,000 in support of La Maison Chance in Vietnam, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter, education, and medical care to orphans, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged youth. This powerful gesture extended the event’s spirit of compassion beyond borders, connecting Montréal’s Vietnamese community to vulnerable populations in their country of origin.

Held to mark the 40th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese Boat People in Montréal, Discovery Day brought together hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds to engage in a rich program of storytelling, cultural exhibits, traditional crafts, music, culinary tastings, and networking opportunities.

The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished guests, including The Honorable Kathleen Weil, former Minister of Immigration of Quebec; Frantz Benjamin, President of the City Council of Montréal; Louis Vachon, President and CEO of the National Bank of Canada; and celebrated author Kim Thúy. Their presence highlighted the cultural and civic significance of the occasion, as well as the Vietnamese community’s contributions to Québec and Canadian society.

Also in attendance were members of the media, including representatives from local and national outlets, who helped amplify the event’s messages of resilience, memory, and cultural pride. Their coverage brought wider public attention to the legacy of the Vietnamese diaspora and the importance of cultural storytelling in shaping collective identity.

“We organized this Discovery Day to honor our parents who gave us a new life,” said UniAction Founder Thi Be Nguyen. “Their courage, strength, and quiet resilience made it possible for us to thrive, and it is our duty to preserve their stories and pass them on with dignity and gratitude.”

UniAction emphasized that Discovery Day is more than an educational event—it is a platform for cultural diplomacy that promotes empathy, healing, and unity across generations. The success of the event reinforces UniAction’s commitment to continuing similar initiatives that build bridges between cultures, preserve collective memory, and deepen understanding within Canadian society.