Politicians must recognize that pandering for Vietnamese Canadian votes by tolerating hate rhetoric risks deepening community divisions and harming Canada’s economic interests.
We move forward
Canada is home to approximately 300,000 people of Vietnamese heritage—a vibrant, accomplished community whose contributions span business, education, the professions, public service and civic life across the country. We believe that our community is a strategic asset for Canada’s future.
Current groups who reject any engagement with Vietnam, and those with issues of political sensitivity and internal division, no longer represent the evolving Vietnamese Canadian community and Canadian interests in the changing global economy.
Canadian politicians and government officials should not spread the hate message to Vietnamese Canadians, which further divides the community.
They should not wear the controversial yellow scarf or use the yellow flag with the 3 red stripes at public events.
They should observe the international protocols and policies of Global Affairs Canada with respect to the Government of Vietnam.
Canadian politicians should not use the controversial yellow scarf or flag associated with the hate message, as shown below:
Vietnamese translation: “National HATRED“
Those who continue to reject any engagement with Vietnam no longer reflect the diversity of views within the Vietnamese Canadian community or Canada’s broader interests.
We are the bridge
We believe that Vietnamese Canadians can be a powerful bridge between Canada and Vietnam. Our expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, professional networks and cultural understanding can help Canadian businesses enter new markets, forge commercial partnerships, attract investment and deepen mutual understanding. At a time when Canada is seeking to diversify its trade and reduce its reliance on the U.S. market, this bridge represents an opportunity Canada cannot afford to overlook.
Courtesy: Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (2023)
Courtesy: Vietnam Today (2026)
Education and research offer another pathway to lasting partnership. Stronger university ties, expanded student exchanges and joint research in artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, clean energy and innovation would open new opportunities for both countries while building relationships that endure across generations.
Better direct air connectivity between Canada and Vietnam would further accelerate this momentum. More convenient travel would facilitate business, investment, tourism, educational exchanges and family connections, bringing our two countries closer economically and culturally.
Above all, Canada must recognize how profoundly our Vietnamese Canadian community has transformed. The majority of Vietnamese Canadians today are not the so-called “boat people.” They are from families of economic immigrants, arriving by plane since the 1990s as business owners, skilled workers and international students. Many of them realize the potential benefits of staying connected with the country of their birth. Canadians should realize this too.
Above all, Canada must recognize how profoundly our Vietnamese Canadian community has transformed.
Canadians are on the right track by attracting investment, removing interprovincial trade barriers and diversifying our trade partnerships around the world. Changing our thinking about the Vietnamese Canadian community and taking the necessary steps to remove the hate rhetoric and its symbol, and empower them build relationships around the world will benefit Canada’s long-term prosperity.
Further reading: From Brain Drain to Talent Circulation: Why Canada Needs a Diaspora Strategy by Steven Wang, Open Canada (2026)