“Tet: The Most Important Celebration in Vietnam" at the Bettendorf Public Library -- September 13.
Saturday, September 13, 2 p.m.
Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Drive, Bettendorf IA
Presented as part of the Bettendorf Public Library's 2025 Global Gathering Vietnam series, the library's program Tet: The Most Important Celebration in Vietnam will take place in the Bettendorf Room on September 13, with CultureALL ambassador Vinh Nguyen speaking on what is considered Vietnam's biggest and most popular festival of the year.
Celebrated on the first day of the first month in the lunar calendar, Tet is the occasion for Vietnamese to express their respect and remembrance for their ancestors, as well as welcomw the New Year with their beloved family members. It is the longest holiday of the year, which may last up to seven days depending on the particular region of Vietnam. In the past, Tet was essential, as it provided one of the very few long breaks during the agricultural year; it was held between the harvesting of the crops and the sowing of the next ones. One can imagine Tet as a combination of Christmas and New Year’s, with many traditions that Americans will recognize. During Tet, for instance, Vietnamese families get together to decorate their houses and Tet trees and have big meals.
CultureALL Ambassador Vinh Nguyen, who will lead the Tet: The Most Important Celebration in Vietnam presentation, was born in Saigon, Vietnam, and came to the United States as a young man, settling in Des Moines, Iowa. He works for Lutheran Services in Iowa, is very active in the language minority communities, and serves as the president of Vietnamese American Community in Iowa. Vinh also serves as a storyteller, speaker, and consultant for many topics related to Vietnam, Southeast Asia, refugee and resettlement process, and second language acquisition issues.
The Bettendorf Library's Saturday-afternoon program is presented in partnership with CultureALL, a non-profit organization that connects Iowans of all ages with a variety of interactive programs designed to expand their understanding and appreciation for the different cultures, religions, beliefs, and preferences that can add meaning to their own lives.
Tet: The Most Important Celebration in Vietnam will be presented as part of the 2025 Global Gathering series on September 13, participation in the 2 p.m. program is free, and more information is available by calling (563)344-4175 and visiting BettendorfLibrary.com.
