During the dispute between the two tickets of Nguyen Quang Duy and Thuy Dang following the election on 28/6/2026, there were noisy protests staged by Thuy Dang’s slate and her supporters. Among them, the most prominent, well-attended, and loudest group was the supporters of the Vietnamese Museum Australia, commonly abbreviated as VBT (English: Vietnamese Museum Australia – VMA).

This VMA group often showed up to protest or cause disruptions during meetings and votes regarding the 2024 Draft Constitution of the Vietnamese Community Association in Australia – Victoria Chapter (the Community), because Nguyen Quang Duy’s Executive Committee had removed Chapter 6 of the 2019 Constitution so that they could no longer use the Community’s name to raise funds for the construction and operation of the VMA.

However, the VMA group still did not abandon its ambition to take control of the Executive Committee after the 2022 election defeat of Ms. Diep Nguyen. This time, when Brimbank Councillor Thuy Dang ran for President of the Executive Committee for the 2026–2030 term, they campaigned vigorously for her. This was because when Maribyrnong City Council rejected the purchase of land to build the VMA in Footscray, it was Thuy Dang, serving as the Mayor of Brimbank at the time, who was instrumental in helping the VMA acquire the land. Without Thuy Dang, there could be no grand opening of the VMA this coming Saturday, 17/10/2026!

Therefore, it is no surprise that the VMA faction protested on 23/8/2026 in front of the empty Ancestral Temple, and at the Mid-Autumn Festivals for children in Springvale (19/9) and Footscray (3/10), demanding that Mr. Nguyen Quang Duy immediately hand over the Executive Committee to Ms. Thuy Dang. However, due to allegations of election fraud, a conciliation committee allowed Nguyen Quang Duy to remain in a caretaker capacity for one more year to re-run the election.

From right: Mr. Le Minh, Ms. Thuy Dang, and Mr. Nguyen The Phong from the Museum (far left) during a protest on 23/8/2026 in front of the empty Ancestral Temple (Community Centre), which lasted about two hours, demanding an immediate handover of the Executive Committee. Photo courtesy: FB Trung Le

Recently, self-proclaimed External Vice President Le Minh was seen boasting online that Premier Ben Carroll had officially recognized Thuy Dang’s ticket. He thanked the government and leaders, claiming they would not attend events organized by Nguyen Quang Duy. Is this really true? Premier Carroll should answer when someone asks him.

Minister for Multicultural Affairs Paul Edbrooke and MP Natalie Suleyman attended the Mid-Autumn Festival organized by Nguyen Quang Duy in Springvale, as well as the one organized by Thuy Dang and the Museum in St Albans. TVTS has maintained that the government should not take sides and has no right to interfere in the internal affairs of an incorporated association.

However, the actions of the Victorian Labor Government show that they have taken sides by failing to invite Nguyen Quang Duy to a meeting designated for Vietnamese associations. On the opening day of the VMA this weekend, will the Premier, government representatives, or politicians from various parties address Ms. Thuy Dang as the President of VCA-Vic during their speeches? In reality, Thuy Dang’s name is not registered with CAV (Consumer Affairs Victoria), she does not control the Community’s bank accounts or assets, and is merely self-proclaimed while currently taking legal action against Nguyen Quang Duy’s ticket in court.

This VMA was established during the tenure of former Community presidents. They carry varying degrees of notoriety, especially regarding the improper transfer of a Community project worth over $20 million to a company owned by a select group of individuals. The Labor Government did not respond when the Community submitted The Review Panel’s Report, spanning over 600 pages and dated 28/3/2023. Minister for Ethnic Affairs Colin Brooks also did not reply when representatives from 16 associations submitted a “Petition” on 3/3/2023 demanding the dismissal of Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Ms. Vivienne Nguyen Phuong Vy.

It is precisely the VMA affair that has divided the Community. Some believe that during its 12 years in power, the Labor Party has supported and shielded these actions, leading to the current division and infighting within the Vietnamese Community.

Will this situation continue to persist? Time will tell by the end of next month.

(Excerpted from the editorial of the online weekly newspaper www.etvts.com.au, Wednesday 14/10/2026)