Just got this list from Viet Art Center of all the events going on around the country in celebration of Vietnamese New Year (in Vietnamese: Tet – made notorious by the communist offensive 
known by that holiday name). The actual New Year’s day, which varies a little bit from year to year, for this Year of the Ox is January 26, 2009.
Following is the list of events as taken from Viet Art Center’s email. The main attraction – the UVSA’s Tet Festival – is shown at #4.
1. Viet Art Center’s Before New Year Celebration
Friday, January 16
6:30pm-9:00pm
13091 Galway Street
Garden Grove, CA 92844
(Inside St. Anselm Episcopal Church)
RSVP (required) by
Email: vietartcenter@aol.com
Tel: 714-658-6650
2. Westminster, CA: Tet Festival
January 24-25, 2008
presented by
Hồng Bàng Vietnamese Language School
Location: Westminster Mall
3. San Diego, CA: Tet Festival: “A Vibrant Spring”
Organized by:
Vietnamese American Youth Alliance
January 23-25, 2008
Location: Balboa Park
Park Boulevard & Presidents Way
Contact: www.sdtet.com
4. Garden Grove, CA: Tet Festival: “A Spring of Hope”
Organized by:
Union of Vietnamese Students Associations
January 30-February 1
Location: Garden Grove Park
9301 Westminster Blvd
Contact: www.tetfestival.org
5. Westminster, CA: Tet Parade
Organized by:
City of Westminster
January 31
Time: 10am
Location: Bolsa and Magnolia Avenue
Contact: City of Westminster – Tet Parade
6. Oakland, CA: Tet Festival
Organized by:
Oakland Museum of California
January 25
Location: Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak at 10th Street
Contact: www.museumca.org or 510-238-2200
7. Grand Prairie, TX: Tet Festival
Organized by:
Vietnamese American Community of Dallas/Fort Worth
January 31-February 1
Location: Traders Village
Mayfield Road
Contact: 972-647-2331
8. Santa Ana, CA: Tet Flower Festival
Organized by:
Orange County Vietnamese Catholic Center
January 16-18
Location: OC Vietnamese Catholic Center
1538 Century Blvd
Santa Ana, CA 92703 (Corner of Harbor & Westminster)
I went to VAALA in Santa Ana after 12PM and did not find any protest. Was I late? Was there one earlier? Regardless, drove myself to Bolsa Avenue to check out the early Tet preparation.
All Viet and all the time. Felt good to see the happy families enjoying the orchids, flowers, and food. I had a grand time. Funny thing, I take living in Little Saigon for granted.
I remember visiting a relative out of state and came across fellow Viets at a restaurant. They asked me where I was from and knew where LA is as a point of reference. Their eyes lit up when I told them that I live in Little Saigon.
I thought I was referring to a holy religious location – no, it is only the largest VN community outside of VN. What is San Jose? Who cares!
Little Saigon, love it/hate it, and it’s my home…
Yeah Nathan, I hear ya. I grew up here too. I remember how the “Little Bolsa” signs on the freeways used to get destroyed after each replacement.
Before that, Bolsa Ave was a double lane street with opposing lanes, and there were no curbs, just mounds of dirt on either side of the road.
Now, Bolsa Avenue looks great and the surrounding Viet shops and malls. I salute to the community for transforming Little Saigon into an enclave.
What is mean to be a part of this community? Differing views on issues. Some may protest, and others don’t. What is refreshing is how we both share a boba after the heady exchange.
The Santa Ana Tet Flower Festival was an intimate and small gathering of Viets. There were mostly performances by children, and they looked very cute in the traditional costumes performing their routine.
Flowers were displayed and sold in the room to the right of the stage. There were a variety of exotic orchids but not on the scale as flower vendors along Bolsa Avenue.
To my surprise, pho and other foods were served in the front entrance of the building. People, young and old, queued up to order.
Such a pleasant atmosphere! What a great festival to start the two-weekend celebration of Tet (Lunar New Year).
I hope Viets, Young and Older, and Non Viets can find time to join in the festivital and mixing it all up!
Monday is over; that leaves four days left until the Tet celebration down in San Diego. Should I take the freeway down or PCH? Either passage has its own beauty. For those of you who do not surf, there is a world renowned beach between OC and SD, Trestles Beach, to explore.
Avid bicyclists who are interested in distance riding can ride from OC to SD along PCH. That round trip is around 120 to 140 miles depending where you decide to turn around. I used to ride from San Clemente to UCSD, and the street I parked is El Camino Real.
The ride is one continuous non-stop trek entering the Marines military base twice. I advise all riders to carry their driver license, or you will be taking the freeway which I seriously discourage.
Once you enter San Diego county, be prepared for rolling hills. The long stretch is beautiful and very safe. San Diego county prides its outdoor oriented lifestyle and provides ample bicycle lane.
I hope to see some of you Viets and non-Viets down in San Diego for some Vietnamese celebration and take a noon siesta and back to the order of things, more Tet celebration.
For those that missed the Tet Flower Festival at Orange County Vietnamese Catholic Center, please check out my blog http://www.ethanngophotography.com/blog
I’ll post more pictures from last year UVSA’s Tet festival. Thanks
Pingback: TET, TeT, Tet, … January 26, 2009. at Ethan Ngo Photography
There were a lot of people at the VAYA San Diego Tet Festival – plenty of Viets and more non-Viets in proportion. The combination of the US and Heritage flags represented the spirit of the festivity very well. Proud to be an American of VN heritage!
There was something for everyone. The entrance area had all the carnival rides and booths for the children. Go past that maze brings you to the main body of the festival consisting of three sections but not exclusively divided. The left was a huge sound stage with excellent stereophonic sounds. A large projection screen hung on either side with the stage for night performance viewing.
A live band was performing almost full time and played cohesively, and the show could not have been presented better visually and acoustically. There were traditional and contemporary performances, but the VN veteran singers performed the bulk of the time. Looking around me, I saw non-Viets and Viets rushing to the stage to get better viewing and listening areas. The performers were that good.
A short stroll to the vendor booths revealed the various services and goods being provided or sold. Free health screening, paid massages/facials, cellular/cable service, trinkets, clothes, VN music CDs and DVDs, solar panel installation, banking, and so on.
Next to the vendor booths had VN language based games and riddles for the older people. There were cultural exhibits such as “Lang Viet Nam” to present the essence and root of Vietnam. Others include “Cho Ben Thanh” and a tribute to all the heroes who sacrificed for the existence of VN. There were more, and you’ll have to find out for yourself.
The far right area was the food court. In addition to VN food, there were other types of food served as well. Time passed by rather quickly with all the various activities taking place. V(ietnamese) A(merican) Y(outh) A(merican) should be congratulated for making the San Diego Tet Festival a smashing success, and it appears as though Barona Resort and Casino and other vendors contributed much to make this event possible.
The festival continues through tomorrow, Sunday the 25th, if you have missed today.
I was there too, Manuel. Those jetliners roaring over the sound stage with all the Viets around gave me flashbacks – 52s on their bombing run? Hahaha.
Hello Viets and non-Viets in Little Saigon and the surrounding communities. This is a reminder that will be a Tet Parade held at 10AM on January 30th in the city of Westminster on Bolsa between Magnolia and Bushard. Please arrive early to secure parking and a place to view the procession.
Afterwards, swing by the Tet Festival, A Spring of Hope, held in the city of Garden Grove. The address is 9301 Westminster Blvd at Garden Grove Park. There will be all kinds of attractions and interests for everyone. The Festival begins tomorrow night (January 30th) at 5PM. The opening event is the Miss Vietnam of Southern Cali Tet Pageant 2009, and performances will follow.
The events on Saturday begin at noon and last until 10PM and Sunday from 10:30AM to 9PM. Information can be obtained at http://www.tetfestival.org.
As a reminder, do bring a hat and sun block to shelter from the possible bright sunlight. Let’s get together for some cultural celebration. The entrance fee is a mere $5 for adults, $4 for children, and tots under four feet come in free.