Source: The Times-Picayune
On February 4, 2001, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that the tenth annual Tet celebration at Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church in New Orleans drew thousands of Vietnamese Americans on Jan. 26-28. The festivities included food, singers, bands, and dancing. "According to the Vietnamese lunar calendar, Jan. 24 was the first day of the New Year, the Year of the Snake, and it is the year 4699...The first day, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are worshipped; the second day is a memorial day for deceased ancestors; and the third day is dedicated to praying for success...Traditionally, all financial debt is paid off by the time of the New Year, and people tend to forget about the past and hope for a better year ahead...Tet is seen as a festival for children. It is customary for children to dress in their most beautiful clothes and play together in the fireworks on the street. Adults give children money in a red envelope hoping to bring them good luck the whole year."