This weekend, from Thursday, July 16, to Sunday, July 19, 2026, the very industrial Peel Basin in Griffintown will be transformed into a Vietnamese night market.
Following Korea, Japan, and the ASIEASIE festival, Vietnam takes center stage for four days with plenty of performances, traditional dances, crispy salt-and-pepper shrimp, and a wealth of Vietnamese culture and community spirit.
Chợ Đêm MTL
This year marks the festival’s fourth edition, and it’s special because it authentically recreates a large Vietnamese night market—complete with vendor stalls, artists, artisans, and street food—all set beneath large garlands of colorful lanterns.
In contrast, we’re surrounded by Griffintown’s brand-new high-rises, but this gives the festival a fleeting, ephemeral feel that makes for a weekend far removed from the hot dogs and corn on the cob found at Montreal’s backyard barbecues.
You’ll find all the classics of Vietnamese markets: fresh sugarcane juice (Nước Mía), sautéed snails (ốc xào), teas, sticky rice, ceramics, and Áo Dài (traditional Vietnamese dresses).
There will also be about fifty performances, including a lion dance, traditional dances, V-pop performances, an Asian Open Mic, and roundtable discussions and panels;
- “Behind the Mask | Mental Health & Asian Culture”—A conversation
that is crucial for breaking down taboos surrounding mental well-being. - “Le Troisième Espace” – A candid exploration of navigating a
hybrid Quebec-Vietnamese identity. - “Dreams of the Second Generation”—An eye-opening session on the dreams and
pressures faced by second-generation immigrants, moderated by Do Phan Hoi. - “Unusual Careers / Not Vietnamese” – Spotlight on community members
community who are pursuing unconventional career paths. - “Women Leaders”—A celebration of influential women driving
change, presented by the AVQ and Banh Mi Media.
Practical Information
Where? Peel Basin, 1049 Rue de la Commune Ouest
A few minutes’ walk from the Bonaventure metro station
When? July 16–19, 2026
Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17 / 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 18 / noon to 10 p.m.
Sunday, July 19 / noon to 8 p.m.
What’s more, tickets are just $5 (with access to all performances and workshops included).
Free admission for children under 12, adults over 65, and anyone wearing an Áo Dài (traditional Vietnamese dress)
