The Banh Mi Women Festival comes to Paris to celebrate asio-descendant women through a month of cultural discoveries in the 12th and 13th arrondissements. The event, organized by the Banh Mi Media collective founded by Linda Nguon, features a program combining art, sisterhood and transmission. One of the highlights takes place at Ground Control near Gare de Lyon, a 6,000 sq. m. hybrid third-party venue hosting a creative pop-up day on Saturday, October 11, from midday to 12:30 midnight.
This first edition of the Banh Mi Women Festival is a response to the lack of visibility of Asian women inthe French public arena. Linda Nguon, a Frenchwoman of Vietnamese-Cambodian origin, imagined this festival after spending eight years in Asia and noting the lack of media representation in France. The festival aims to be an intergenerational and inclusive meeting place, open to all, to discover the talents, know-how and creativity of the Asian diasporas.
At Ground Control, the former postal sorting hall transformed into an alternative cultural venue, the theme of the October 11 event is "Expressing your cultural heritage through art and creativity". There will be a market of designers offering fashion, jewelry, illustration and handicrafts, as well as free workshops throughout the day. Thephotographic exhibitions "Humans of Chinatown" and "Asidentités" delve into identity and intimacy through the lens of the self. In the evening, 100% all-female DJ sets will keep the celebrations going in a festive atmosphere.
A program of workshops punctuates the day, with free events available on registration. You can learn Vietnamese with Maison Panda, discover Khmer dance with Tep Monorom, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or take part in a well-being workshop on essential oil diffusion. A talk with the author of "A Thousand and One Lives" plunges you into the authentic stories of the diaspora, while a stunt demonstration with Maryline Vo closes the workshops before the evening DJ sets.
The Banh Mi Women Festival runs throughout the month of October, with other events at various Parisian venues. Here's the full program:
To make the most of the festival, a 20-euro Festival Pass gives access to exclusive benefits at partners' venues throughout the month: discounts at Vietnamese restaurants like Viahe Caphe, Banoi or Opla, at tattoo artists like Alexia Yumcha, or for therapy sessions. This pass directly supports the places created and designed by asio-descendant women, and helps to perpetuate this cultural movement, the first of its kind in France.
The festival is part of an approach to visibility and transmission carried out by Banh Mi Media, a collective of over 30 members who highlight Asia and Asian cultures through podcasts, videos and event productions. With a community of over 60,000 people and 8 million cumulative views, Banh Mi works with institutions such as the Musée Guimet, the Musée du Quai Branly and Asian film festivals. The festival is symbolically set around October 20, Vietnamese Women's Day, which since 1930 has commemorated the founding of the Vietnamese Women's Union and celebrated the commitment and social role of Vietnamese women.
This first edition of the Banh Mi Women Festival expects between 500 and 5,000 visitors for the entire program. Registration is mainly via HelloAsso, except for the cinema screenings, which have their own box office. Ground Control is located at 81 rue du Charolais in the 12th arrondissement, within easy reach of the Gare de Lyon. The establishment is open from Wednesday to Sunday, and also offers a wide range of catering options, with various world cuisine stalls in its large covered hall.
The festival is a continuation of the project launched in March 2025 by Banh Mi Media: a series of portraits of Franco-Vietnamese women creating an impact in the French public space, featuring the likes of Mai Hua, Céline Pham, Doan Bui, Linh-Lan Dao, George Ka and Anh-Tran Nghia. Linda Nguon, a 2025 winner of the US incubator program Women Leaders for the World, explains her approach: "Growing up in France, I didn't see anyone in the public space with whom I could identify. Today, with Banh Mi, I want to make these women visible: those who deconstruct, those who inspire us, those who create a real impact in society."
To discover the full program of the Banh Mi Women Festival and reserve your place at the various events, visit the official Banh Mi Media website or the Ground Control dedicated page for the day of October 11. Well-being and empowerment workshops are subject to a fee, while many events are free and open to all.
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Dates and Opening Time
From October 24, 2025 to October 29, 2025
Location
Ground Control
81 Rue du Charolais
75012 Paris 12
Recommended age
For all
Official website
www.groundcontrolparis.com
