Vietnamese festival brings tradition to campus

Where in Troy can you go to enjoy Vietnamese and Thai food, watch a culture show, then stay up to midnight to bring in the lunar New Year with fireworks and a horse dance? Only on the campus of Troy University for the celebration of Tet Nguyen Dan, Vietnamese New Year, in the Baptist Campus Ministries building behind Trojan Dining this Saturday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m.

Chau Duong, or “Chloe”, the past president of Vietnamese Student Association and the coordinator of the event, has fond memories of celebrating Tet festival in her home country of Vietnam. As a child, she loved getting “lucky money” and watching the fireworks at midnight. Duong wishes to experience the fun she had as a child again and encourages everyone to join the festivities.

“It will be a time for homesick Vietnamese students to get together and for other students to experience Vietnamese culture,” Duong explains. “Tet festival is like Christmas here in America. Families travel to be with each other and there is warmth and happiness. ”A banquet of traditional Vietnamese foods will be served along with Tet specialties, such as fruit jams, rice cakes and even Thai food.

The evening is planned to include traditional dances with hand fans and conical hats. Because the year 2014 is the Year of the Horse, there will be a “horse dance” and a chance to win some “lucky money”. Duong invites all to attend. “I really want everyone to come enjoy the festival because Vietnamese culture is very fun.” Tickets are $15 for all. Enjoy a discount of $10 a ticket if you bring a large dish of food to the celebration. For ordering tickets or more information, call Duong at 334-655-4706.