New Orleans is known for its vibrant atmosphere and spicy cuisine, reflecting its history as a melting pot of African, American and French cultures. Recently, however, other cultures are beginning to make their mark on the city.
The Vietnamese New Year Festival, otherwise known as TET Nguyen Dan (TET), is quickly approaching. The festivities have spread to New Orleans, where it will be celebrated at Mary Queen of Vietnam’s Church Feb. 10-12.

The celebration includes food, fireworks, carnival games, dragon dances and concerts to celebrate the New Year and traditions of the Vietnamese culture.
The festival will begin with church services on Friday evening, followed by fireworks and Vietnamese traditional dances. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
Attendees can enjoy folk music and delicious Vietnamese cuisine, including spring rolls, Banh Mi, grilled meats, Vietnamese po boys and exotic fruit drinks.
The Crescent City festival originated after the resettlement of Vietnamese refugees to New Orleans during the 1970’s. South Louisiana was one of the more popular destinations, and many Vietnamese have made New Orleans their home.
“New Orleans is well known as the city of diversity and richest in culture,” said parish coordinator Giuseppe Anthony Tran.
The Archdiocese and the city of New Orleans have supported the Vietnamese communities, and their ventures, to keep up their traditions and maintain their customs and special celebrations since their ‘70s resettlement. They continue to do so in order to “keep the uniqueness of such a race among multi-ethnic groups,” said Tran.
Marking springtime and the start of the Lunar New Year, TET is one of the most sacred holidays in Vietnam. It is the time of unity and happiness where many celebrate the traditions, history and ancestry of the Vietnamese.
“In our culture, TET is the birthday of all Vietnamese citizens,” said Tran. “We do not celebrate individual birthdays as in the United States. We greet one another during the New Year with the phrase: ‘Chuc Mung Nam Moi,’ which literally means ‘Happy Your New Age’ or ‘Happy Birthday.’”
Their communities hope to maintain their ancestral heritage and share their culture with the rest of the city by putting on this festival. TET is a celebration that involves many cultures, not just their own. There are a plethora of cultural dances originating from places like Hawaii, Mexico and India.
“Mary Queen of Vietnam Parish motivates the practicing and upholding of Vietnamese traditions and celebrations for all events of the year in the parish, in hopes that young generations will appreciate our own identity among the melting pot,” said Tran.
The Vietnamese New Year Festival will be held at 5069 Willowbrook Drive this weekend.