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.
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A volunteer at a food vendor presses sugar cane to make nước mía as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team performs as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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A child struts down the stage in her áo dài as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Two boys challenge each other to a duel as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Singer Nicole Nguyen performs on stage as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Singer Nhoc Ha performs on stage as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Singer Nicole Nguyen performs on stage as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Crowds of people gather around to eat as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team performs as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Volunteers grill oysters as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team members have a laugh as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Food vendors are crowded with people as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Crowds of people gather around to eat as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team performs as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Two men raise up their crawfish and beer to the year of the rooster as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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Children pet the lion dancer’s head for good luck as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team performs as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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The Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team performs as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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A performer peers his head out the lion’s mouth as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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A child approaches a lion dancer as St. Agnes Lê Thị Thành Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Marrero on Jan. 21, 2017.
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A GDPT Thien Ai lion dancer rests as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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A man lights fireworks in celebration of Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in front of Tam Bao Temple on Jan. 27, 2017.
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A man pays omage to the temple’s shrine as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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Black cat fireworks crack as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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Black cat fireworks crack as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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People gather to rub the GDPT Thien Ai lion dancers for good luck as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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A man lights fireworks as Tam Bao Temple celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year, in Baton Rouge on Jan. 27, 2017.
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Volunteers begin to clean up after St. Joseph Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year on Jan. 15, 2017.
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Volunteers begin to clean up after St. Joseph Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year on Jan. 15, 2017.
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Volunteers begin to clean up after St. Joseph Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year on Jan. 15, 2017.
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Volunteers begin to clean up after St. Joseph Catholic Church celebrates Tết, the Vietnamese New Year on Jan. 15, 2017.
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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.
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This year’s Vietnamese New Year Festival will be held Feb. 10-12 at Mary Queen of Vietnam’s Church in New Orleans.
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This year’s Vietnamese New Year Festival will be held Feb. 10-12 at Mary Queen of Vietnam’s Church in New Orleans.
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