Bulletin Board

BULLETIN BOARD 

Logo Design Contest

The Vietnamese Association, Toronto (VAT), founded in 1972, has served the community for more than five decades. To mark this milestone, VAT is renewing its official logo, which will feature the symbol of the Yellow Flag with Three Red Stripes.

We warmly invite community members and their families to participate in the Logo Design Contest. Please submit your design entries by email to vat@vatoronto.ca and hantrinh239@gmail.com by the end of December 1, 2025.

The winning design will receive 4 VIP tickets (valued at $400) to attend the Lunar New Year (TET) Festival – Year of the Horse 2026, which will be held on January 31, 2026 at Venu Event Space, 2800 Hwy 7, Vaughan, ON L4K 1W8.

We look forward to your enthusiastic participation.

World of Travel, Trade, and Taste Expos 2025 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre

An international platform connecting countries with public and private sector leaders - government ministries, chambers of commerce, and economic boards - to promote sustainable tourism, trade, investment, and cultural heritage, while fostering partnerships across the Americas and beyond.

Hội chợ quốc tế về Du Lịch, Giao Thương và Ẩm Thực 2025

Một nền tảng quốc tế kết nối các quốc gia với lãnh đạo khu vực công và tư - gồm bộ ngành chính phủ, phòng thương mại, và cơ quan kinh tế - nhằm thúc đẩy du lịch bền vững, thương mại, đầu tư và di sản văn hóa, đồng thời xây dựng quan hệ đối tác tại châu Mỹ và các khu vực khác.

• Opening Ceremony: The Expo will officially open at 10:00 AM on  May 30, 2025 with dignitaries and representatives from various Ministries in attendance. 

• Event Dates: Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Exhibition Location: Hall A, North Building, Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC)
• Conference Sessions: Rooms 200–203 (Street Level)

• Performance Time:  Saturday May 31st, 2025 at 3:00pm

Please click here for more details.

Trang Bulletin Board dùng để đăng tin của các tổ chức khác. Hội Người Việt không chịu trách nhiệm về nội dung của các thông báo trong trang này. The Bulletin Board is used for posting announcements from other organizations. The Vietnamese Association is not responsible for the content of the announcements on this page.

The Vietnamese Association of Toronto (VAT) has been working with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to support and assist members of our community in various ways.

During a recent meeting between the Vietnamese Association of Toronto (VAT) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the OPP shared concerns about predatory lending and financial exploitation, particularly in cases involving gambling. The OPP also advised that several Vietnamese individuals have recently been charged in investigations related to predatory lending activities.

This is not an unfamiliar issue within the community. According to the OPP, there have been cases in which borrowers make regular weekly or monthly payments without realizing that these payments cover only the interest, while the principal amount remains unchanged and must eventually be repaid in full. Some victims have been required to pay very large sums of money and have even had to sell their homes because of these debts.

The OPP has asked the Vietnamese Association of Toronto to help share preventive information with the Vietnamese community. For the safety and well-being of our community members and their families, we encourage you to take a few minutes to read the OPP Community Notice below to learn about warning signs to watch for and where to seek help when needed.

Please share this information with your family, friends, and others in the community. Awareness and vigilance can help us prevent serious and unfortunate consequences.

Vietnamese Association of Toronto (VAT)

Community Awareness Message – Illegal Lending and Financial Exploitation

The OPP- Investigation and Enforcement Bureau is working with community partners to raise awareness about illegal lending, loan sharking, financial exploitation, and money laundering.

Police investigations have identified situations where individuals experiencing financial difficulties, including those related to gambling, may be approached by people offering quick and easy access to cash or private loans. These arrangements can sometimes lead to very high interest rates, intimidation, threats, financial pressure, or demands involving family members and friends.

Community members are encouraged to be cautious when borrowing money through informal or private arrangements.

Some general warning signs may include:

• Loans with unusually high or unclear interest rates.

• No written agreement or clear repayment terms.

• Pressure to repay significantly more than the amount borrowed.

• Loans obtained needs to be paid off in full, and that weekly/monthly payments are only interest payments.

  • This can create a scenario where a person will never be able to pay off the acquired loan.

• Extortion, threats, intimidation, harassment, or fear connected to repayment.

• Being asked to transfer or receive money through other people or accounts.

• Being asked to move, hold, deposit, or exchange money without a clear legitimate reason.

• Pressure to involve family members or friends in financial transactions.

• Private lending connected to gambling or gambling-related debts.

If you or someone you know is being threatened, intimidated, pressured, or financially exploited because of a debt, please consider reaching out for help.

Language, cultural concerns, embarrassment, or fear should not prevent someone from seeking assistance. Community organizations and police can work together to support individuals who may be vulnerable to financial exploitation.

Our goal is prevention, education, and community safety.

Please share this information with your family, friends, and community members. Increased awareness can help prevent others from becoming victims.

Contact Options

• Non-Emergency: Call local police to speak directly with the police.

• Anonymous Tip Line: Call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to leave a completely anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.

• Online Reporting: Submit a secure tip online via Crime Stoppers Ontario.

• Emergencies: If a crime is actively in progress, dial 9-1-1.

• ConnexOntario: Free confidential information and referral for mental health, addiction and gambling services
  Call: 1-866-531-2600
  Text Connex to 247247
  connexontario.ca

For additional information about the Ontario Provincial Police, crime prevention, community safety, and available services please visit www.opp.ca