Vietnamese New Year (Tet) in Madison
By Ka Bao Lee
Michelle and Sean Gahagan usually celebrate their New Year in January, but on February 16, they joined in
on another New Year celebration; one that has become very dear to their hearts, the Vietnamese New Year
celebration in Madison, Wis. The Gahagans adopted their 14-month old son, Ian, from Vietnam. "We adopted Ian
in July and we just wanted to introduce him to his birth culture, Vietnam, and learn more about it ourselves,"
Michelle Gahagan said.
The Gahagans were not alone. A mixed crowd of Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese people gathered at the
Knights of Columbus Hall to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. Some came to learn more about the
Vietnamese community but most of the 300 or so people came to bring in the New Year and celebrate the
Vietnamese culture.
According to the 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 700 Vietnamese living in Madison and almost 4,000
living in Wisconsin. Although this number is relatively small compared to some other Asian groups in Wisconsin,
the Vietnamese community, with their culture, is vibrant and thriving. They are also eager to share their culture
and traditions with others.
This year's New Year celebration was especially welcomed, because last year's public gathering was canceled
due to bad weather. Determined to have a public gathering for the celebration, Vietnamese community leaders
and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) began collaborating months
before the event. VSA President Huyen Hoang said that VSA has always been involved in projects with the
Vietnamese community but this was the first time the organization has teamed up to take part in the New Year
celebration. Hoang explained that a lot of hard work went into the event but the outcome and the gratitude from
the community was well worth it.
The Vietnamese New Year is based on the lunar calendar. The actual New Year began on February 7 and it
usually lasts for several days. The celebration on Feb. 16, however, was nothing short of a grand celebration.
Vietnamese people call the New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan, "Feast of the First Morning." Many refer to it simply as
Tet. According to the lunar calendar, 2008 marked the Year of the Rat.
The New Year celebration usually begins at home with lots of cooking and family gatherings. Many of the
families also take this time to worship ancestors and wish each other good luck in the upcoming year. The
relationships between children and elders are very important. During the New Year, children receive money in red
envelopes from elders wishing them luck while children pay their respects to the elders.
Although many of the people who attended the Madison New Year celebration had already celebrated their
own New Year with family and friends, the public gathering was equally important. It was time for the whole
community to come together as one and embrace the Vietnamese culture. Huyen Hoang added, "It is very
important for everyone to get together to maintain our culture." The presence of many young people dressed in
their traditional Vietnamese costumes proved that many of them do want to maintain their culture and share it with
others.
In between the chatter among family and old and new friends, were traditional performances of Vietnamese
songs and dance. Attendees were also fascinated by a demonstration performed by an acupuncturist. The
performances concluded with a Vietnamese fashion show, showcasing the variety of Vietnamese clothes from
different parts of Vietnam. And like any good celebration, traditional Vietnamese food was also available.
Michelle Gahagan admitted that she had been craving good Vietnamese food since returning from Vietnam.
The food here was exactly what she needed.
For Tony Dao, VSA Treasurer, the New Year celebration is not only about food but also about family and fun.
"It is also to celebrate health and happiness for the coming year." Dao said. Without a public celebration last year,
there were no expectations for this year's event. Dao said that he was very surprised at the turnout and happy that
so many people came to join in the celebration. Huyen Hoang echoed that the event was a success. With more
collaboration and interest from different communities, hopefully this public celebration will continue for many
more Vietnamese New Years to come so that one day Ian Gahagan will be old enough to walk on stage in the
fashion show or participate in a traditional dance or song with other Vietnamese children.
Michelle and Sean Gahagan usually celebrate their New Year in January, but on February 16, they joined in
on another New Year celebration; one that has become very dear to their hearts, the Vietnamese New Year
celebration in Madison, Wis. The Gahagans adopted their 14-month old son, Ian, from Vietnam. "We adopted Ian
in July and we just wanted to introduce him to his birth culture, Vietnam, and learn more about it ourselves,"
Michelle Gahagan said.
The Gahagans were not alone. A mixed crowd of Vietnamese and non-Vietnamese people gathered at the
Knights of Columbus Hall to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year. Some came to learn more about the
Vietnamese community but most of the 300 or so people came to bring in the New Year and celebrate the
Vietnamese culture.
According to the 2003 U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 700 Vietnamese living in Madison and almost 4,000
living in Wisconsin. Although this number is relatively small compared to some other Asian groups in Wisconsin,
the Vietnamese community, with their culture, is vibrant and thriving. They are also eager to share their culture
and traditions with others.
This year's New Year celebration was especially welcomed, because last year's public gathering was canceled
due to bad weather. Determined to have a public gathering for the celebration, Vietnamese community leaders
and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Vietnamese Student Association (VSA) began collaborating months
before the event. VSA President Huyen Hoang said that VSA has always been involved in projects with the
Vietnamese community but this was the first time the organization has teamed up to take part in the New Year
celebration. Hoang explained that a lot of hard work went into the event but the outcome and the gratitude from
the community was well worth it.
The Vietnamese New Year is based on the lunar calendar. The actual New Year began on February 7 and it
usually lasts for several days. The celebration on Feb. 16, however, was nothing short of a grand celebration.
Vietnamese people call the New Year, Tet Nguyen Dan, "Feast of the First Morning." Many refer to it simply as
Tet. According to the lunar calendar, 2008 marked the Year of the Rat.
The New Year celebration usually begins at home with lots of cooking and family gatherings. Many of the
families also take this time to worship ancestors and wish each other good luck in the upcoming year. The
relationships between children and elders are very important. During the New Year, children receive money in red
envelopes from elders wishing them luck while children pay their respects to the elders.
Although many of the people who attended the Madison New Year celebration had already celebrated their
own New Year with family and friends, the public gathering was equally important. It was time for the whole
community to come together as one and embrace the Vietnamese culture. Huyen Hoang added, "It is very
important for everyone to get together to maintain our culture." The presence of many young people dressed in
their traditional Vietnamese costumes proved that many of them do want to maintain their culture and share it with
others.
In between the chatter among family and old and new friends, were traditional performances of Vietnamese
songs and dance. Attendees were also fascinated by a demonstration performed by an acupuncturist. The
performances concluded with a Vietnamese fashion show, showcasing the variety of Vietnamese clothes from
different parts of Vietnam. And like any good celebration, traditional Vietnamese food was also available.
Michelle Gahagan admitted that she had been craving good Vietnamese food since returning from Vietnam.
The food here was exactly what she needed.
For Tony Dao, VSA Treasurer, the New Year celebration is not only about food but also about family and fun.
"It is also to celebrate health and happiness for the coming year." Dao said. Without a public celebration last year,
there were no expectations for this year's event. Dao said that he was very surprised at the turnout and happy that
so many people came to join in the celebration. Huyen Hoang echoed that the event was a success. With more
collaboration and interest from different communities, hopefully this public celebration will continue for many
more Vietnamese New Years to come so that one day Ian Gahagan will be old enough to walk on stage in the
fashion show or participate in a traditional dance or song with other Vietnamese children.
(Counterclockwise from
top left) Altar;
Vietnamese food; the
Gahagan family; youth
pose for Asian Wiz; a
dance number; a
fashion show
top left) Altar;
Vietnamese food; the
Gahagan family; youth
pose for Asian Wiz; a
dance number; a
fashion show