As a Vietnamese refugee, Lunar New Year, or Tết, has always been more than a holiday—it is a lifeline to my ancestors, my homeland, and my identity. It is a time of renewal, gratitude, and connection. In Colorado, I watched my parents quietly struggle to preserve our traditions while rebuilding their lives in a foreign land. Their unwavering perseverance and efforts to keep Tết alive in our modest home were a powerful reminder of who we are, even in the face of hardship.
This year, I reflect with pride and gratitude. On June 2, 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed HB23-1271 into law, making Colorado the second state to officially recognize Lunar New Year as a state holiday. As the founder and chair of Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group (LUNA), the team that led this effort, this victory is not just for my Vietnamese community, but for all Asian American communities in Colorado. It’s a testament to our resilience, contributions, and rich culture.
Tết was the heart of my childhood. Despite the hardships we faced as refugees, it was a time of warmth and joy when our home was infused with the spirit of Việt Nam. My mother’s chả giò (eggrolls) and bánh chưng (sticky rice cakes) weren’t luxuries, but symbols of our resilience. Red envelopes filled with blessings adorned our modest surroundings, and for a moment, the harsh realities of displacement from war seemed to fade. We were reminded that even in displacement, the core of who we are could never be taken from us.
Outside our home, Tết was invisible. It wasn’t acknowledged in schools, workplaces, or the wider community. While my classmates eagerly shared their winter plans, I quietly wondered why a holiday so meaningful to my family, who had lost everything, wasn’t celebrated beyond our home. With my limited English and courage, I couldn’t find the words to explain. I wished for the day when Lunar New Year would be acknowledged and celebrated in the broader community.
My dream came to fruition when I founded and led Lunar New Year Allies Advisory Group, our team that successfully secured official recognition of Lunar New Year as an observed state holiday in Colorado. When the bill passed, it was more than just a mark on the calendar. It was an affirmation of our stories, our struggles, and our presence.
I recall that historic day when Asian American, refugee, and immigrant communities stood united on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol, wearing our vibrant traditional attire. I donned a traditional Việtnamese áo dài, and together, we proudly celebrated the beauty and richness of our collective diversity. It was a moment of immense pride for all of us.
For generations, refugees, immigrants, and Asian Americans have celebrated Tết in silence, feeling unseen. This recognition is a promise to our ancestors and future generations, ensuring our culture and heritage are preserved. It tells every Asian American family lighting incense, making bánh chưng, or exchanging lì xì that our traditions deserve to be seen—not hidden. To every refugee, immigrant, or Asian child who has felt invisible: Our culture matters. Our history is seen. We belong.
Standing in the Colorado State Capitol, making remarks at the bill signing, I shared that HB23-1271 is more than just a milestone. It is a bridge that connects our past, present, and future. It honors our ancestors and their sacrifices, and calls on us to preserve these traditions for generations to come. It is a message of hope for those who will carry our heritage forward with pride, as part of Colorado’s evolving identity.
This historic accomplishment is deeply personal to me as a refugee. It honors my parents’ courage as “Boat People,” who rebuilt their lives from nothing, guided by an unwavering determination to preserve our culture. It is a testament to the power of refugees, immigrants, and Asian Americans to shape policy, change narratives, and create lasting impact.
As I celebrate Lunar New Year this year, I do so with profound gratitude—not just for the traditions that connect me to Việt Nam, but for the state that now embraces them. Let us celebrate this historic recognition, and remember the treasures we carry within us—our language, our history, our resilience, and our pride. Lunar New Year is no longer a family tradition. It is a shared celebration of who we are, and a reminder of the boundless possibilities we can achieve together when we honor our identities. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!
Nga Vương-Sandoval
Founder and President for Refugees + Immigrants United