Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet
WESTMINSTER, Calif. ― Every year, after the first of January, Vietnamese Americans get a second chance to enjoy the festivities of a new beginning by celebrating Lunar New Year, or Tet, depending on when it falls on the Lunar calendar. This year, Feb. 8 is the day that families will celebrate the Year of the Monkey, and in preparation of the holiday, people from across the county and country flock to the Flower Festival in Little Saigon to buy the necessities to ring in the new year.
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Vendor Sam Sy said he sells thousands of orchids each year at the festival. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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“We deck out the house with flowers, fruit and food,” said Hong Chau, 39, who lives in neighboring Cypress. “Everything that represents Vietnamese culture and New Year’s ― that’s why we’re here. We also come to support our community.”
While the festivities in the United States differ greatly from how Tet is celebrated in Vietnam, many people, especially in Little Saigon, try to make it as close to what they remember as possible. By buying orchids and hoa mai, chrysanthemums and peach blossoms, people are able to bring a piece of spring and flowers representative of the lunar festival into their homes.
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An orchid with a traditional blessing hangs from the plant.(Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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Vendor Sam Sy, 48, who has been selling orchids, bromeliads and various plants at the festival for the past 12 years, said he enjoys the atmosphere.
“I love this season because everyone is happy, and they are looking to find their roots here in America,” Sy said. “People dress up, they stroll and they take photos and enjoy themselves. They get to buy flowers and decorations to bring in the new year, and that is an important part of Vietnamese tradition.”
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Candies and traditional holiday snacks are sold for those with a sweet tooth. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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Sy said he normally sells his orchids from his home in Anaheim or at the swap meet on the weekends, but he said the business he does during the Lunar New Year is tremendous.
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Alina Phan, 16 months, of Anaheim, enjoys the festival with her parents while wearing the traditional ao dai. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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“On the weekday I sell dozens of plants but on the weekends, that number jumps to hundreds,” Sy said. “For the whole season I would say the number is in the thousands.”
“I’ve been here 10 minutes and I’ve already sent my husband to the car with our first round of items ― fruit, flowers and tea,” said Debra Diaz, 58. “That was run number one. I’m pretty sure we’ll be purchasing more. If you love flowers, you have to come. Just the ambiance is worth a visit.”
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Orchids are sold in every shape, size and color. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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The festival, in its 13th year, runs until Feb. 6. The crowds grow the closer it gets to the new year, and nearly 100,000 people are expected to visit this year. For Diaz, who had never been to the Flower Festival before this year, this was an opportunity to learn about a new culture with her family.
“I’m impressed with how warm and hospitable everyone is,” Diaz said. “I love growing tropical plants, so to see all the orchids and bromeliads here is stunning. They are gorgeous. The colors, the variety ― I love it.”
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The hoa mai represents the noble roots of the Vietnamese, as well as wealth. (Photo: Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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“There is nothing more fun than going to the flower festivals during Tet,” said Uyen Vu, a Huntington Beach resident. “I love orchids, so all I want to do is spend all day looking around. This is a small way to vicariously enjoy the Tet of Saigon but in Little Saigon.”
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Festival attendees take photos in front of the flowers. (Thuy Phan/Nguoi Viet)
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Hanh Nguyen, 58, of Westminster, came to America four years ago and said she still misses the hustle and bustle and excitement of Tet in her homeland, but insists the one here comes pretty close.
“The first blessings and good wishes for the new year are so special,” Nguyen said. “They give us a sense of hope that the year ahead will be full of good things to come. Families come together, kids come home ― it’s a big part of what it means to be human, and especially Vietnamese.”
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If you go:
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When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily until Feb. 6
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Where: Asian Garden Mall, 9200 Bolsa Ave., Westminster
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Cost: Free entry; prices of flowers vary
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More info: (714) 379-9913 or asiangardenmall.com
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