WESTMINSTER, California (NV) – Embodying the theme “Hopeful Spring,” the 2017 Tet Parade marched excitedly and dazzlingly on Bolsa Avenue the morning of Feb. 4, marking the coming of a New Year for the Vietnamese community in Little Saigon and Southern California.
With a blue sky and a beaming sun, the morning was fitting for an outdoor parade. Children laughed and played with colorful balloons along Bolsa, a bustling street year-round that on this day became even livelier as people gathered to watch cars, dignitaries, bands and such take part in the parade.
‘It’s not spring without the parade’
Parents eagerly helped their children find spaces to stand, while elders carefully chose places to put down their chairs. Spectators from throughout Southern California began gathering along the sides of the closed street since 8 a.m. – two hours before the parade’s start time.
“I had to race here from South Coast Plaza to be in time, said elder Phan Văn Vận, still holding on to his bicycle while catching his breath. “Lucky for me, it’s still early. … It’s not spring without the Parade.”
Nguyễn Thúy Hảo, a resident of Fountain Valley, said she had her reasons for the early arrival.
“Last year, I came on time but there was no place to stand,” she said. “I am short, and I couldn’t see anything so I had to call my younger sibling, who had just dropped me off, to return and pick me up. This year, I come early to make sure I could watch the flower cars.”
“We live here so we have to see it live; it’s boring on TV,” she said, shaking her head.
Tet Festival
The parade stage was set up in front of the Asian Garden Mall (Phước Lộc Thọ), facing the street with emcees taking turns to describe the progress of the parade, which started at the ABC supermarket and marched up to Bushard Street along Bolsa Avenue.
The fireworks, lit to welcome spring, evoked emotions from many people.
Lê Hải Anh, from Long Xuyên, Việt Nam, wiped her eyes.
“It’s been many years since I heard spring fireworks,” she said. “Now that I hear them, my heart pounds like when I was a little kid.”
Her husband, Nguyễn Quang Tuyến, joined her.
“We just arrived here yesterday afternoon,” he said. “Because of jetlag, we didn’t eat anything the whole night, [I] just wanted to lay down. But she make me come here to hear the fireworks, then rest after.”
Hải Anh, still wiping her tears, interrupted.
“Ours ancestors have the tradition of fireworks to chase away bad omens, evil spirits, and devils so that our houses and hometown be peaceful,” she said. “The communists, they are afraid of being chased away so they prohibit the whole nation from having fireworks to welcome spring.”
The sound and smell of the fireworks brought joy to some who hadn’t experienced fireworks in years.
“We lived in Paris for many years and have never heard real fireworks. There are fireworks on CDs and tapes, though,” said Nguyễn Huy, from France. “Now I can smell the fireworks. I feel so nostalgic because I imagine as if I am still picking up deflated fireworks in Hanoi back in the day.”
“My family just moved here two years ago. Last year, when I heard the Vietnamese fireworks, I hated it,” said Luisa Marshall, a resident of Westminster, adding the noise scared her dog, Lucky. “Now, when I see and hear the fireworks, I understand how it makes the Vietnamese so happy.”
And the younger generation of Vietnamese started to learn traditions through the parade.
Trương Tín, a resident of Anaheim, carried his 10-year-old son Michael on his shoulders and watched the festivities.
“Michael has learned Vietnamese for more than a year. Today, I brought him out here so that he can ‘live’ in Vietnamese culture,” he said. “There is no teacher who can teach him to understand and love his culture like today. Today is Tet festival.”
