Cabramatta A Slice of Vietnam Culture in Sydney Australia

Right after we made a left turn from the slaughterhouse, a line of monks stood in the middle of the Cabramatta town square. Earth-toned robes, serene faces, and brass bowls ━ offer their blessings. Then, one lady took off her shoes and kneeled in front of them on the busy street. I stopped sipping my sugarcane juice and passed the cup to my friend. I wanted to memorize it in a picture.

But would that be too intrusive?

As if she heard my thoughts from across the road, the youngest monk locked her eyes on me and gave, I swear, the slightest smile. It’s a YES! I clicked away.

The weather was muggy when we reached Cabramatta earlier that day. Located an hour from Sydney CBD, the suburb housed the largest community of Vietnamese in Australia. Observed further, Cabramatta is a melting pot of Asian culture, mainly Vietnamese, Cambodian, Thai and Chinese.

The day’s agenda was to make a food trail with my best friend, to eat Vietnamese food beyond a hot bowl of pho. So we spent a half-day there, immersing in Vietnamese culture, in a pocket of Sydney, miles away from Asia.

The hustle-bustle of the road, the food aroma from the endless stall and multiple languages quickly transported us to Asia.

Uniquely Cabramatta

Everyone strolls and stops for small talk. Families gather together in restaurants to share meals. Older men gamble. Others play mahjong on the roads. I saw some kids chased, and later being chased by, pigeons. When they came crying to their mothers, they were ushered back to play so the mothers could continue the chit-chat.

Time moves slower in Cabramatta, and cash still is king here. When my friend wanted to pay for the banana fritters she loved so much, the shop didn’t have a card machine like most in the suburb.

Tết in Cabramatta

Cabramatta, or “Cabra” as the locals call it, was particularly busy on that day, donned in red, in preparation to welcome Tet, the Vietnamese New Year. It shares many similarities with the Chinese Lunar New Year. Both are celebrated on the same day, have the same fundamental traditions and are marked by the change of the animal zodiac.

Cabramatta Market

The smell of fresh seafood filled the air when we passed the wet market, my second favourite place in Cabramatta after the slaughterhouse. I would love to linger longer there, but I decided to give it away to people buying something. Next to the market, there was a provision shop where we found so many things from our childhood, from red Chinese bowls and pandan leaf to Asian snacks. After spending a good half-hour here, we came out with the iconic Vietnam hat, some kitchenware, and a good luck talisman to celebrate the year of the pig.

Monks Business

When we were refuelling ourselves with the famous Vietnamese coffee in the late afternoon, I noticed a printed warning not to give the monk any money. A group of scammers, wearing earth tones robes and supporting bald heads, have been demanding money for their “blessings”. This isn’t the only monkey business going around in the suburb. Some illegal vendors open pop-up shops around Cabramatta selling stuff for lower prices as they don’t need to pay taxes.

I looked back at Cabramatta passing by me from the train back to Sydney. I am full, but more just the food in my stomach. Our mini-expedition has also fed my soul and mind.

“Why do we spend money and chase exotic places far away instead of appreciating the culture-rich neighbourhoods?” I asked my best friend. “Do you think I can Ubereats that banana fritters to North Sydney?” My friend replied with her musings. I hope so, my friend, I hope so.

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