Each year between mid-January and mid-February, the Vietnamese community observes the Lunar New Year. The occasion is for the Vietnamese residents of San Francisco to remember their heritage and traditions and to pay tribute to their ancestors.

The festival held in the Little Saigon area (Tenderloin district) of San Francisco gives them an opportunity to see old friends, enjoy music and dances, sample special foods and have a good time that they hope will continue throughout the new year. A unique feature of the event is the generous attention given to children who, besides the traditional lucky money in red envelopes, also receive free coupons for foods and games.