Press release

Each year between mid-January and mid-February the Vietnamese community in the San Francisco area celebrates the coming of the Lunar New Year, an occasion for all Vietnamese-Americans to remember their heritage and traditions. The annual “TET FESTIVAL” in the Tenderloin district is a unique event that gives them the opportunity to find togetherness and have a good time that they hope will continue throughout the New Year.

Friends of the Vietnamese community also come to the Festival to show their interest in San Francisco’s diversity. Ex-mayor Willie Brown, present mayor Gavin Newsom, members of the Board of Supervisors and other City officials have regularly attended and enjoyed the ceremonies, especially in helping to pass-out to children red envelopes containing “lucky money.” Like other non-Vietnamese attending the event, they appreciate the sample of Vietnamese culture offered by exhibitions, games, and booths displaying New-Year flowers or selling traditional Vietnamese foods. Most attractive to them is the music program performed by world-class Vietnamese artists as well as local talents.

Every year the all-day long Festival attracts about 25,000 attendees who do not pay for admission. The unique culture program, different games, food coupons for seniors and children are all offered free of charge. The Tet Festival has become the most popular event of the year for the Vietnamese community, and attendance is increasing steadily every year. This has caused a need to constantly find new funding to support the growth of the Festival. Many businesses, agencies and private citizens have been willing to contribute in the past years. The Vietnamese Community Center is relying on both the public’s enthusiasm and generosity to continue and expand an activity which it considers a true public service.

Go to our website www.vietccsf.org * Tel.: 415-351-1038 for more information