35,000 expected atVietnamese Tet festival

By Lia Bichel
VIETNAMESE people from across the state will gather at Sandown Racecourse this weekend to celebrate their new year.
The Vietnamese Tet festival is an annual event which has been running for more than 20 years across Victoria and in Springvale for the past four. It is the largest gathering of the Vietnamese community in Victoria.
This year is particularly important because it marks the 35th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement, president of the Vietnamese Committee in Australia Victoria Chapter Bon Nguyen said.
“The theme this year is 35 years’ contribution and will feature a symbolic boat for people to get on board and tell their stories,” he said.
Mr Nguyen said he expected about 35,000 people to attend the event this year, which will boast a range of cultural exhibitions, traditional foods, music and activities.
A shrine in remembrance of Australian soldiers who died in the Vietnam War will also be featured.
“I think it is very important to acknowledge and respect the fallen Australian soldiers, whether they died in Vietnam or Iraq,” Mr Nguyen said.
“They made a sacrifice for others. I think they are all heroes.”
Residents are also encouraged to enjoy the fireworks, which will be on Saturday night and Sunday night.
“We postponed the fireworks last year because we thought it was inappropriate to have them after Black Saturday, but on Sunday we will have a minute of silence before the display for all the bushfire victims,” Mr Nguyen said.
“The fireworks are also a nice way to celebrate Valentines Day.”
Residents are also encouraged to come out for the flag raising ceremony on 10am on Sunday.
The event will be from 12pm until midnight on 13 February and from 10am until 11pm on 14 February.
Tickets can be bought at the gate at Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway, Springvale.