Community Lunar New Year Tet 2026 in San Francisco: Where tradition meets the future
WVR - On February 8, the Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco organized the "Celebrating Homeland Spring" program to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse in a warm and solemn atmosphere, attracting a large number of overseas Vietnamese, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals from Northern California and surrounding areas.
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| Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan delivers the opening speech for the "Celebrating Homeland Spring" program. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
The event created a cultural space rich in homeland essence in the heart of America, where people gathered to share the joy of welcoming the traditional Lunar New Year and strengthen community bonds.
More than just a reunion, the program also reflected the growing stature of the Vietnamese community in the United States and the positive development of Vietnam-U.S. relations. It spread the message of the nation's aspirations and the image of a dynamic Vietnamese community on the U.S. West Coast, deeply integrated yet preserving traditional cultural identity.
A unique cultural convergence
An interesting highlight of this year's Community Tet program in San Francisco was its timing, coinciding with the U.S.'s biggest annual football event – the Super Bowl. This made the Tet celebration blend traditional spring colors with the modern rhythm of the local society.
In his opening speech, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized: “If the Super Bowl symbolizes the strength and conquering spirit of the United States, then the Year of the Horse Tet is a symbol of the intrinsic strength and aspirations of the Vietnamese nation.”
This connection between two cultural images provided a vivid perspective on the integration journey of the Vietnamese community in the U.S. – both merging into the mainstream society and preserving their roots.
The festive Tet atmosphere was filled with joyful spring melodies performed on traditional instruments, ethnic dances, and songs celebrating Tet and spring.
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| A group of young Vietnamese-origin musicians performing a spring celebration piece. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
Images of Vietnamese generations participating in cultural activities to celebrate the traditional Tet created a warm reunion picture, showcasing the continuity between generations.
Vietnam after the 14th National Party Congress: An era of growth and long-term vision
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan shared about the new opportunities for the country following the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, marking an important milestone opening a “new era of national growth” with ambitious development goals and practical foundations.
Highlighting the major outcomes of the 14th National Party Congress, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized three strategic pillars for the new development phase: using technology and innovation as growth drivers; promoting comprehensive digital transformation; and developing a green, sustainable economy to adapt to global climate change.
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| A glimpse of the ceremony hall during the "Celebrating Homeland Spring" event for the Year of the Horse in San Francisco. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
With a GDP exceeding 550 billion USD and import-export turnover approaching 1 trillion USD, Vietnam is moving closer to its goal of becoming a high-income modern industrial nation by 2045.
The image of the “Iron Horse of Saint Giong” for the Year of the Horse was mentioned by Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan as a symbol of determination and aspiration, reflecting the nation's strong spirit of innovation in the new phase.
Vietnam-U.S. relations: Deepening cooperation
Sharing with the community about the substantial development of Vietnam-U.S. relations, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed that after 30 years of normalizing diplomatic relations, the two countries have upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership and are entering a phase of deeper cooperation in politics, economics, and high technology.
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan noted that the active exchanges maintained by senior leaders of both countries have helped strengthen strategic trust and open up many new cooperation opportunities. Additionally, the bilateral trade reaching nearly 200 billion USD in 2025 demonstrates the increasingly close ties between the two economies.
In technology and investment, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan highlighted three bright spots: Vietnam's deeper involvement in the semiconductor industry with the presence of major corporations; large-scale clean energy and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects; and the increasingly evident trend of two-way investment between Vietnamese and U.S. businesses.
These developments not only hold economic significance but also contribute to shaping Vietnam's new position in the global supply chain.
The Overseas Vietnamese community: A strategic bridge and intellectual resource
Regarding the community's role, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan emphasized the special role of over 2.2 million Vietnamese in the U.S., especially the intellectual and technology experts in Silicon Valley. Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan affirmed: “Whether discussing Industry 4.0 or double-digit growth, the core factor remains human resources.”
Besides economic contributions through remittances, the Vietnamese community also acts as “knowledge ambassadors”, helping bring U.S. technology to Vietnam and assisting Vietnamese products in accessing international markets.
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| Some attendees at the "Celebrating Homeland Spring" event. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan conveyed three major expectations for the community: preserving cultural identity and the Vietnamese language for the younger generation; enhancing solidarity and mutual support in business and life; and continuing to look towards the homeland with practical actions.
These messages received strong support from community representatives attending the event, reflecting confidence in a future of cohesive cooperation and sustainable development between the overseas Vietnamese and the homeland.
Aspirations for the Year of the Horse – Faith in the future
Concluding the program, Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan extended New Year wishes to the community with verses rich in homeland spirit:
"Spring arrives, horses gallop,
Thousands of miles away, yet the homeland remains close.
Join hands to preserve love,
Looking towards the motherland, the path blooms."
The event's atmosphere became contemplative with wishes for friendship between the Vietnamese and American people, for a peaceful and prosperous Vietnam. Images of families gathering, the younger generation confidently wearing traditional ao dai and speaking Vietnamese, created a special beauty for the Homeland Spring festival.
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| A highland Tet dance performance by a dance group from Alameda city. (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
The Year of the Horse Community Tet in San Francisco was not just a New Year gathering but also a message of unity, faith in the future, and the aspirations of the Vietnamese nation in a new era.
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| Singer Thuy Trinh performing the song "Tet Has Arrived". (Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco) |
Through the community's cultural performances and the insights shared by Consul General Hoang Anh Tuan, the image of a strong and united community, a dynamic, integrated, and culturally rich Vietnam continues to resonate strongly within the Vietnamese community in the U.S. and among international friends.
(Source: Consulate General of Vietnam in San Francisco)
