Vietnamese Parade in the 13th arrondissement: we were there, the sunlit parade in photos and video

The Vietnamese parade in Paris's 13th arrondissement rolled out its áo dài and drums along the stretch from Avenue d'Ivry to Place d'Italie this Saturday, September 12, 2026. We were along the route of this free parade—here's what we saw.

We were there, and the gathering was bold and wonderfully immersive. The Vietnamese cultural parade made its way through Paris's Asian Quarter in the 13th arrondissement this Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 44 Avenue d'Ivry to Place d'Italie. After a postponement in June due to the heatwave, the procession finally moved forward under a pleasant late-summer sun, with temperatures far more bearable than in mid-June.

Let me be clear from the outset: this parade is far more modest than the grand Lunar New Year parade that electrifies the neighborhood every winter. The comparison simply doesn’t apply here. What we have is a neighborhood celebration led by local families and Vietnamese cultural associations.

Watch the 2026 Vietnamese fashion show in video:

Áo dài, drums and martial arts: what did people see in the parade?

The program as announced was kept, featuring three highlight moments that unfolded one after another along the way:

A costume show, featuring a remarkable collection of áo dài (the Vietnamese traditional long tunic) and outfits from Vietnam’s diverse ethnic groups.
Martial arts and percussion, ranging from demonstrations of combat techniques to performances of traditional drums.
Folk dances, brought to life by choreography inspired by the country’s various regions.

The costumes stole the show. The red, yellow, navy blue, or gold‑embroidered áo dài traded accents from one end of the parade to the other, and the traditional headdresses caught every photographer’s eye. The drums, for their part, could be heard long before the head of the procession appeared.

The pace was calm, almost strolling, leaving plenty of time to notice the details of the traditional Vietnamese outfits. Some passersby even lingered on the sidewalk, having not planned to come, simply drawn by the music.

Why was the Vietnamese parade in the 13th arrondissement postponed?

Originally slated for June 27, 2026, the parade dubbed “Một Dòng Việt” was pushed back by its organizers due to the heatwave gripping Paris and the Île-de-France region. A procession of several hundred participants in heavy costumes, in the thick of the afternoon and the peak of summer heat, would have been untenable. The postponement proved wise: Saturday’s forecast called for sunny, gentle weather, providing ideal conditions.

The event was held under the auspices of sixteen Franco-Vietnamese associations and organizations, including cultural associations, Vietnamese language schools, and youth groups. The procession departed from Paris Store, at 44 Avenue d'Ivry (Tolbiac or Porte d'Ivry metro stations, line 7), and will reach Place d'Italie between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM, with free access and no reservations required.

Where to extend your stroll in the 13th arrondissement’s Asian quarter?

With the parade over, the neighborhood regained its rhythm and the terraces filled up. It was the perfect moment to head for a steaming phở or a generously stuffed bánh mì. To keep the Vietnam vibe going in the area, try our pick of 11 Vietnamese restaurants to enjoy in the 13th.

And if you’re into grand processions, two more Parisian events are worth a look: the Lavage de la Madeleine 2026, which rolls samba and batucadas through to the Church of the Madeleine, and the famous procession of the Fête de Paris this Sunday.