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Increasing a Leadership Role for Vietnamese Women

By Thuong Du

 MELBOURNE - A new television show aimed at increasing the status of  young Vietnamese women in Melbourne will be underway soon.

The driving force behind the project is Helen Huynh and her team, already successfully transmitting radio programmes from the Yarraville studios of Channel 31.

 “Nothing we set our minds to is unachievable.We’re just joining the dots - skills we can acquire, resources we can beg, borrow and steal. People will support you if you really believe in what you do,” says Huynh.

Titled Her Productions, the core concept of the TV show is to empower young women to become leaders in their own life and in their communities. It will be produced from a perspective that is both gender and culturally specific.

“I remind myself each and every day that I am part of a wider community and that within this community I have the capacity to make a positive contribution,” Huynh says.

She and other second generation Australian-Vietnamese women find they are not represented in the mainstream Australian media and there are few opportunities for their faces to be seen or their voices to be heard.

 “My parents are firm believers that leaders are not born, but made and young people thrive on guidance and encouragement. We need opportunities to rise to the occasion, to be curious, courageous and inspired,” says Layla Vu, another member of the group at Channel 31. 

Drawn to the challenge of adding a visual dimension to their radio work, the team will continue addressing important issues such as identity, education and family.
A particularly important issue is the conflict between the traditional Vietnamese values of their parents and the influences of growing up in Australian society.

“Most of Australian-Vietnamese youths belong to a bi-culture in which there are two standards and acceptable societal norms. It’s difficult to remain neutral in an individualistic society where freedom and individuality is valued in contrast to the traditional views held by most of the older Vietnamese generations,” says Vu.

Their media projects, are aimed at showcasing  the ability, talents and skills of young Vietnamese women across a broad spectrum of  history.

“It’s important to have role models who are able to understand the struggles and triumphs we go through,” says  a third member of the group, Diana Nguyen.

The team itself is composed of women with diverse backgrounds in acting, singing, journalism and social work.
 “My skills are a work in process, my projects are a work in progress and I am a work in progress. If I embrace the challenges as a necessary part of my journey and keep pushing in the same direction, eventually something will give.

There isn't a grand surprise waiting for me at the end of the journey and what I have in this moment is it,” says Ms Huynh.