#tetfestival2016

[tetfest]

Now is this cute or what? Cue the warm and fuzzies when you see a sight like this #alittlemansbestfriend #liondance #tet #lunarnewyear #tetfestival2016 (at Tet Festival)

[tetfest]

"When I was a kid, the one thing I would always remember was going out during the week of Tet. Whether it be to Phước Lộc Thọ or temple, my parents, sister, and I would be out celebrating. That is something I kind of took for granted as both my sister and I are now older and have lives of our own, so we can't spend as much time with our parents in time of celebration. The Tết Festival is important to me because it gives a chance for anyone, not just Vietnamese people, to experience Tết. Outside of Vietnam, Tết Festival is one of the biggest celebrations of the Vietnamese New Year so I feel like it helps those not born in Vietnam or those who left Vietnam to really celebrate. To me, this festival symbolizes the community and individual goodwill since it is run and supported wholly by volunteers." #PeopleofTetFest #tetfestival2016 #uvsa

[tetfest]

"Every year as a tradition, my family goes together to Tet Festival. Actually my uncle was one of the founders of UVSA, so we get free tickets each year. I didn't really think much of it, but when my uncle passed away I wondered why he dedicated so much time into UVSA even though he was an immigrant. I decided to run for my own university's board and eventually now also run for this year's Tet Festival staff. What I discovered was a group of friendly, hardworking, cheerful people. More than that though, it is amazing that we all come together as people of numerous different backgrounds to help spread the Vietnamese culture. I'm glad I am a part of this year's Tet Festival committee and with these people who I can call family." #PeopleofTetFest #tetfestival2016 #uvsa #culture #vietnamese #legacy #family

[tetfest]

We're celebrating Lunar New Year's this weekend at @shopmainplacemall! Check out today's schedule and stop by to see some awesome performances from our pageant ladies, Jenny Bao Ngoc Nguyen, and @questurr! We're giving away FREE CHILDREN'S TICKETS! #tetfestival2016 #mainplacemall #lunarnewyear #tet (at MainPlace Mall)

[tetfest]

"Growing up in Westminster, I always went to the Tet Festival. I know that it is student-run and I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted to be a leader for the younger generation and to really bring our community together. To me, the Tet Festival represents youth, renewal, and inspiration for the younger generations because we are the ones that will hold the community together through the preservation of our culture and traditions. I didn’t realize how much it takes out from everyone to make the Tet Festival happen and it really inspires me to take part because everyone is doing this for the good of our community. Each and everyone's efforts come from the heart. The Cultural Village, especially, allowed me to open my eyes to my culture and history and helped me to really appreciate who I am as a Vietnamese American." #PeopleofTetFestival #tetfestival2016 #uvsa (at Freedom Park)

[tetfest]

"Tet Festival is important to me because it allows me to tap into a dream shared by many other volunteers. Unlike quite a few of the volunteers for the Festival, I grew up in a community far away where the presence of Vietnamese culture was very minute, and I'm extremely grateful for being a part of all of this as a first time volunteer. Since I was a child holding my mother's hand while exploring around the cultural village area, I've always yearned to be a volunteer for the Festival and to be a part of the Vietnamese American community and its cultural experiences. Coming from one of the handful of Viet families in my community, I was taught by my parents to cherish our cultural traditions, even if I was the only one out of many who was putting in that effort, and going to the Tet Festival every year has reflected those efforts as well as defined who I am today. For someone who's had to put in that extra effort to stay connected to his roots all this time, Tet reminds me that no distance can keep me from pursuing the dream that my family shares: to contribute to the legacy of authentic Viet culture in the Vietnamese American community." #PeopleofTetFestival #tetfestival2016 #uvsa #dream #community #volunteer

[tetfest]

Have you ever had a char-grilled porkbelly rolls with five spice and miso glaze? No? Well now you can! @meat_on_a_stick will be selling this among many other delicacies at Tết Festival! Come enjoy food, Lunar New Year performances, cultural exhibits, pageant show, and rides from February 12-14, 2016 at OC Fair & Event Center. Buy tickets: tetfestival.org/tickets #tetfestival2016 #uvsa #lunarnewyear #meatonastick #tetfestfoodie (at Tet Festival)

[tetfest]

Have you ever wondered how fast you can eat a 10-inch Vietnamese sandwich? We did! Which is why Tết Festival is bringing a brand new experience to your palate this year! Enter our newly-introduced Bánh Mì Eating Contest, sponsored by Lee's Sandwiches! Application deadline is February 6th. Learn more at tetfestival.org #banhmi #sandwich #eatingcontest #food #tetfestfoodie #tetfestival2016