On Sunday 10 September 2023, Centre 151 threw its doors wide open to welcome everyone into their building for a day of homemade Vietnamese food, massage, workshops, performances, arts and crafts for children and more. Nestled between Haggerston Baths, Regent’s Canal and Haggerston Park, Centre 151 – also known as VLC – is a community centre led by the Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodian communities and boasts to have one of the best Phở in town, which you can taste on Wednesdays and Saturdays at their famous Phở Club.

Coinciding with Mid-Autumn Festival, a harvest festival celebrated in Asia, Centre 151 Open Day is the opportunity to invite all into their building to get a taster of what is happening there throughout the year. Their older members demonstrated some of the dance steps they had learnt whilst younger generations of artists shared snippets of contemporary dance or classical Indian dance. 

There was also the invaluable knowledge of the many therapists connected to the Therapy Centre – Reflexology, Shiatsu, Reiki, Tui Na, Thai Massage – all generously giving treatments to attendees, inviting us to take a moment to breathe. Not to be missed was the peaceful hidden gem that is 151 garden as the day ended in a whirlwind of music by VLC band and dancing.

This day was generously supported by Hackney Council, Mayor of London, Four Winds Mahjong Club, People’s Postcode Lottery, Kindredpacket, Yuk Fun, Wellness Collective, Van Huynh Company.