Vanderbilt’s Asian American Student Association hosted its fifth annual “Night Market” on Oct. 4 on Commons Lawn, bringing together students from across campus to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month. 

Marking the culmination of AASA’s APIDAM celebrations, this year’s “Night Market” featured 12 student organizations representing cultures from across Asia and the Pacific Islands. Attendees received stamp cards to visit booths and could redeem them for Asian snacks such as Shin Ramyun, Choco Pies, assorted flavors of Pocky and Hi-Chew.  

“Night Market is a great way to kick off APIDAM. It’s a great way to see the Asian organizations come together offering games, snacks and music outdoors,” junior and AASA Co-President Isabel Soliman said. 

Each booth offered interactive ways for attendees to engage with the culture, like the Taiwanese American Student Association hosting a ring toss.  

“Ring toss is a traditional Taiwanese night market game,” Dory Meng, first-year representative for TASA, said. “Whichever drinks they win, they can take home, and they’re all traditional Taiwanese drinks.” 

Other booths included calligraphy and lantern-making from the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Chinese Association and cultural trivia from the Vanderbilt Asian Pre-Professional Society. 

“This event is a casual, free-flowing way for people to try snacks and be introduced to Asian culture,” junior Erica Nido, Philippine Intercultural Student Organization vice president, said. “Hosting it on Commons is especially great for freshmen to show them the community and people that are available to them.” 

Several first-years said they appreciated the welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. 

“It felt very engaging and culturally diverse,” first-year Caleb Kim said. 

“I felt welcomed and at home as a freshman,” first-year Stephen Lu added. 

One of the coordinators of the event highlighted the vibrancy of Vanderbilt’s Asian and Pacific Islander community. 

“Tonight has been a great night to spotlight cultural orgs on campus,” junior Justin Oh, AASA vice president said. “We’re super excited to keep the tradition going every year.” 

Sophomore Sunny Chen, cultural vice president of Vanderbilt Undergraduate Chinese Association, echoed this sentiment. 

“It’s so wonderful that Vanderbilt has these offerings of different cultures and allows people to understand more about the lighthearted aspects of Chinese culture,” Chen said. 

As the night ended, students lingered under the night sky, sharing snacks, laughter and conversation. Ushering in APIDAM, AASA’s event set the tone for a month dedicated to connection, visibility and pride across Vanderbilt’s Asian and Pacific Islander communities.