The Lunar New Year in Vietnam is a time when families gather to celebrate and appreciate one another.
Although Vietnamese people living on P.E.I. are half a world away from their families, they came together to celebrate the occasion at the Delta Prince Edward Saturday.
“We are from different provinces in Vietnam, we are from different families in Vietnam and now we are here to celebrate together,” said Mark Duong, who attended the event with his family. “It is very, very important for us.”
The event included dance performances throughout the evening, a talent competition and lots of traditional Vietnamese food.
Saturday was the third year for the event. However, it was the first year organized by Viet.PEI, a newly-formed organization with a purpose of welcoming Vietnamese newcomers to the province.
About 400 people attended Saturday’s celebration, which warmed the heart of Viet.PEI president Nhu Nguyen.
“Eighty per cent of our people on this Island gathered to celebrate,” he said. “I feel very happy.”
The official Lunar New Year, which is also called “Tét,” is Tuesday and will bring in the Year of the Pig.
Nguyen said it is the most significant festival for Vietnamese people living in or out of the country.
The purpose of the celebration is to summarize what you have accomplished in the previous year and to welcome in the new year.
“We talk about the past and then wish about the future for our ancestors to protect our people,” said Nguyen.
The holiday is much like Christmas in North American culture.
Duong said gifts are traditionally exchanged between parents and children.
While he is not in Vietnam to give gifts to his family, Duong said he will be sure to call them.
“On the time of New Year’s Day, we will call them,” he said.
Duong, his wife Christy, 11-year-old son John and eight-year-old daughter Suri moved to P.E.I. two years ago.
Duong said Saturday’s event was an opportunity to meet other Vietnamese people living in P.E.I.
“There are a lot of people I never met before tonight,” said Duong. “Some people living in Montague or Summerside but tonight we got to meet each other and share our living experience here.”