Vietnamese St. Louisans in the United States are gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year in their own unique way. The nonprofit St. Louis Vietnamese Community has been organizing Tết celebrations in St. Louis for over thirty years, and this year, they are adding a free, family-friendly event at the Missouri History Museum to showcase the special traditions of Vietnamese New Year.

The Lunar New Year is a significant time for Vietnamese St. Louisans to come together for customary practices, including ancestral rites, as well as to enjoy great company and food. The event at the Missouri History Museum aims to highlight what makes Vietnamese New Year celebrations so special.

During a recent episode of St. Louis on the Air, Kris Le, president of St. Louis Vietnamese Community, and Tila Nguyen, director of events for the organization, shared insights into the community’s history and its role in keeping multiple generations of Vietnamese Americans connected to their cultural traditions. The nonprofit also collaborates with other AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) organizations in the St. Louis area, and they are eager to showcase how Tết is distinct from other cultures’ Lunar New Year observations.

The upcoming events include a ‘Celebrate Vietnamese New Year!’ event at the Missouri History Museum on February 8, and the ‘Lunar New Year 2024’ celebration at St. Mary’s High School on February 18. These family-friendly events will feature activities and cultural displays that reflect the spirit of the Year of the Dragon.

To learn more about the personal memories of Vietnamese New Year festivities and what to expect at the upcoming celebrations, you can listen to the full St. Louis on the Air conversation on various platforms including Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcast, and Stitcher.

As the Vietnamese St. Louisans prepare to celebrate the Lunar New Year, their unique cultural traditions and community spirit are set to be on full display at these upcoming events.