Tết Festival 2007
Vietnamese Lunar New Year

Organized by Vietnamese Association of Central Florida

February 17 and 18, 2007

Around late January to early February every year, the Vietnamese people celebrate
the beginning of the Lunar New Year. This celebration is known as Tet, and many traditions follow. Wearing red symbolized good luck and money is given in small red envelopes (also known as li xi). Homes are decorated with yellow spring blossoms and are also cleaned to sweep out bad fortune.

Many Vietnamese families are spread out across Central Florida. Tet, as celebrated in Vietnam, allows friends and families to greet one another as soon as they walk out of
their homes. Over here in the United States, celebrations usually take place in
a centralized location where the Vietnamese community usually gathers.

Hundreds from Central Florida’s Vietnamese community as well as others fl ocked to
the yearly Tet Festival held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. During the 17th and
18th of February, local residents were able to experience a part of the Lunar New Year.
Festivities included carnival prize games for the kids, as well as
the Vietnamese beauty pageant.

Young women between the ages of 16-24 were able to compete against
one another for the title of Miss Vietnamese Florida. The traditional Vietnamese dress, which is called the “ao dai”, was seen on all the contestants. The ao dai each contestant wore were beautifully presented, and varied in style and color. Third place went to Kim Tran, who received a tiara, trophy, and 500 dollars. Quynh Nguyen made second place, giving her a tiara, trophy, and 1000 dollars. First place winner Tran Anh Thu earned the crown and a $2000 cash prize.
Participant Lisa Le won Miss Congeniality, and June Nguyen was Miss Photogenic.

Some of the traditional Vietnamese dishes were available for purchase during the festival,
and a few of the local restaurants were also there to give other food choices for those
who attended the festival.

Tet is one of the most celebrated times in Vietnam, bringing families and friends together.
Having Tet Festivals here give the whole Vietnamese community yet another reason to rejoice
and unite, regardless of religion or background.

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