For Vietnamese people,
Lunar New Year,
or Tết is really the one
hugely celebrated,
holiday that,
Vietnam celebrates
and honors.
It occurs
around the lunar calendar.
It's a time where families
come back together,
especially in Vietnam.
And I hear this
from my cousins
that still live there.
They make their effort
to really
leave the city and, leave
whatever they're doing to
then go back to
their hometowns
and be with family
to start the new year off
on the right foot.
[♪♪]
Family is
really important.
Even, like red
and gold are still
very prominent
colors for New Year's.
We usually focus on
bringing everything
that will elevate
our look for the new year.
Of course,
there's things
like cleaning the house
before New Year's,
because you want to
step into the new year
with new clothes,
bringing in good energy,
and preparing
lots of food.
Abundant food
is really important.
There's, Li Xi,
which is the red envelope
where, it's
usually the elders
giving to the younger
generation.
It's not just
about the money.
And you have to
do a greeting or, like,
say something
in order
to receive
the red envelope,
or else you won't,
or they'll be
really hard on you.
if you don't
learn how to say it
correctly in Vietnamese.
There are definitely
a lot of similarities
between Chinese
and Vietnamese.
New year for Vietnamese.
There's just like
small differences.
One that
most people know about
is the zodiac.
Every year
we have
a different animal.
For the most part,
we have similar
animals, except,
the rabbits and Vietnamese
is actually a cat
instead of a rabbit.
And I'm actually
year of the cat.
And so
I have this,
identity crisis every time
having to explain
why I'm this animal
versus a different animal.
Usually what's
on the menu for
Tết is a
variety of things.
Typically there's usually
sticky rice.
And we have both,
like the long log
sticky rice,
but also the square
sticky rice.
And I think
the square one is,
more known
for in Vietnamese culture.
And then there's
the braised pork
and egg dish.
It's a very homey dish
that most families have it
during dinner time.
Something else
that's offered
those red trays of dried
fruit and dried treats.
Those are really offerings
for guests and people
that come
and visit your house.
[♪♪]
I think one of
the challenges
we have with preserving
our culture
is that there's not
very many
places to celebrate
and to practice
those cultural elements.
That's why it's important
for the friends
of Little Saigon
and our
Little Saigon
landmark project.
The cultural center is a
key part of that project.
And so if we had,
a shared space, a
community space
that really
highlights culture
and highlights identity,
that provides us
the ability
to pass it down
through generations.
If we had a place.
And so
we hope that it becomes
the heart of
the neighborhood
and a place to continue
to gather and celebrate.
I would like to just say,
a brief New Year's
greeting to my community.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới
các đồng hương
which means,
Happy New Year
to my community.