The OU Vietnamese Student Association continued the celebration of the Lunar New Year on Thursday, a family and religious celebration, even away from home.

About 150 people gathered at the Oklahoma Memorial Union Ballroom to welcome the new year, also known as Tet, said SiSi Tran, president of the Vietnamese Student Association. The group celebrated with dancing and a prize drawing.

"The Lunar New Year celebration is a time for family reunions in Vietnam," said Vi Wickham, assistant director of the Center for Student Life.

One of the highlights in the event was a drawing for a 25-inch television. In addition, VSA gave away certificates for free dinners at participating restaurants.

The season of Tet occurs around the end of January and the beginning of February, with the actual celebration date falling on a different day each year. The Lunar New Year is Feb. 16 this year, Wickham said. OU's Tet celebration was held early because of scheduling conflicts, Tran said.

Tran said the Vietnamese community in Oklahoma City will host a Tet celebration on Feb. 6 at the fairgrounds. The festivities will consist of a traditional fashion parade and a dragon dance.

Tet is a larger celebration in Vietnam than in the United States. Wickham said during festive weeks in Vietnam, businesses are closed and family members gather to eat traditional meals and exchange gifts. It is believed if anything good or bad happens on the celebration day, it will foreshadow events in the year. Most Vietnamese people try to minimize any chance of misfortunes occurring on Tet, so it is tradition for people to exchange money to wish others a prosperous and happy year.
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