Our First Tet

Yesterday we celebrated our first Tet by going to the Tet Festival at the International Centre in Mississauga. The festival was well-attended by thousands of Vietnamese Canadians. It was interesting -but very, very crowded. I don't think we would go in future years as we couldn't see the dragon dance very well. We did enjoy learning about some Tet traditions. Here are some photos from the day...

Aidan and Maya in front of some blossoms. Many of the families were taking their photos in front of the blossoms - so we did too!

Some women with traditional Vietnamese instruments
A monk writing - probably about having a prosperous and healthy new year.

A lion mask

The throngs.... it was difficult to see much of what was going on on the stage. We did see Dalton McGuinty and Michael Ignatieff - not sure if they ended up on stage or whether they were just honoured guests

Aidan and Maya in front of the money tree.

Their red envelopes

We bought this banner to hang by our fireplace. I asked the saleswoman what it said - I think she said something like: May you have a prosperous New Year and have harmony with your family. (I will need to use an on-line translator to check - translator said "Wealth' and "Peace").

So all in all I'm glad we went, but next year we will look for a smaller, less crowded celebration!