Boston’s Vietnamese neighborhood celebrates Lunar New 12 months

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“That is at some point a 12 months the place individuals within the Vietnamese neighborhood all collect collectively, and it’s a protected area for everybody.”

Hoi An lanterns grasp sparsely all through the venue. Dancers glide throughout the stage in silk tunics. Rows of Bánh Tét, Vietnamese rice truffles loved throughout Lunar New 12 months, line show tables. And close by, inflatable horses and a miniature secure invite kids to pose for photographs — becoming the 12 months of the Horse theme.  

The Lunar New 12 months — generally known as Tết in Vietnam — is likely one of the most important holidays throughout a number of Asian nations and amongst diaspora communities worldwide.

Organized by the Vietnamese American Group of Massachusetts and the New England Intercollegiate Vietnamese Scholar Affiliation, Tết in Boston 2026 stays the area’s largest Vietnamese Lunar New 12 months pageant. On Sunday, it stuffed the Menino Conference & Exhibition Middle in South Boston, an area practically the dimensions of a soccer subject, stated Christina Trần, the pageant’s decorations director. 

For months main as much as the occasion, Trần and her decorations committee hosted weekend workshops to craft decorations and put together the venue. The work, she stated, created distinctive alternatives for connections. 

“It has allowed lots of people to come back collectively, particularly completely different generations,” she stated, gesturing towards her decorations adviser, Khánh Bùi, who was born and raised in Vietnam.

Planning started final summer season with choosing a brand new venue, stated co-director Hannah Nguyen. Though the pageant is held yearly, this was its first 12 months on the Menino Middle. 

In earlier years, the smaller areas required a two-day format, however the bigger venue allowed organizers to consolidate right into a single day and opened the pageant to extra attendees, Nguyen stated. 

“That is at some point a 12 months the place individuals within the Vietnamese neighborhood all collect collectively, and it’s a protected area for everybody,” stated co-director Linda Pham. “It’s not solely individuals of Vietnamese descent; people who find themselves from completely different ethnicities [and] cultural backgrounds come right here, and everybody is ready to rejoice as one.”

For attendees like Quang Vu Nguyen and his 2-year-old daughter, the pageant supplied a cultural connection. 

“It’s extra a tradition present for our household,” he stated. “Particularly for my daughter rising up right here, [it gives her] a style of the tradition of Vietnam again dwelling.”

As a second-generation Vietnamese American whose mother and father immigrated to the USA, Nguyen stated occasions like this are important. 

“You don’t get too many alternatives like this,” he stated. “You may most likely go an entire 12 months and never go to any Vietnamese occasions, however I do assume it’s vital for [my daughter] to sort of see it, perceive it, sort of simply be immersed in it.” 

Tết in Boston additionally showcased conventional Vietnamese arts. 

Trang Tran, a Boston resident, ran a calligraphy sales space with assist from her daughter, Thien Nguyen, who translated for her mom. In Vietnam, calligraphers historically sit alongside busy streets throughout the New 12 months, writing customized poems and needs for passersby, Nguyen defined. 

“Culturally, it’s actually vital,” Nguyen stated, pointing to her mom at work. “There’s enjoyable stuff right here like video games and meals, however we’d like one thing for the tradition and artwork of the Vietnamese individuals.”

Vivian Le, a Massachusetts resident, displayed and offered Ao Dài, the normal Vietnamese attire worn throughout holidays, weddings, and formal celebrations. Some have been handmade, whereas others have been shipped from her household in Vietnam, she stated. 

Le stated she attends the pageant every year to “deliver out the tradition” via conventional attire. She stated this 12 months’s occasion felt extra related than previously — because of the bigger, single-floor venue. 

“This 12 months, we’re all collectively, multi functional ground,” she stated. “I actually prefer it this 12 months as a result of it’s greater.” 

College students additionally participated, together with UMass Boston’s Vietnamese Scholar Affiliation. 

Hao Truong, a senior at UMass Boston and vp of VSA, stated members hosted video games for youngsters and offered merchandise throughout the pageant. 

The group goals to advertise Vietnamese tradition each on campus and in surrounding neighborhoods like Dorchester. Inside the Dorchester neighborhood, Boston’s Little Saigon district serves as a cultural and industrial hub — dwelling to roughly 75% of the town’s Vietnamese American inhabitants. 

For Truong, the occasion was additionally private. 

“I feel it’s a great way for everyone simply to get collectively, particularly for New 12 months’s, which is all about household and connection,” Truong stated.