Numerous festive activities are taking place across the San Francisco Bay Area this weekend, spanning from the city of San Francisco to Oakland and San Jose, California. In San Jose, thousands convened for the annual Tet Festival, the region's largest celebration of the traditional Lunar New Year for the Vietnamese-American community, held outside the Eastridge Center.

For Asian-Americans, Lunar New Year is the most important holiday of the year, often likened to Christmas. Instead of wrapped gifts, children receive red envelopes (li xi), which symbolize luck and prosperity.

Tet decorations in San Jose, from a CBS News video posted on 13/2. Screenshot

At the festival, many families posed for photos beside a large golden horse model, the zodiac animal of the Binh Ngo year, symbolizing speed, freedom, and success.

"We wanted to enjoy some new year atmosphere, so this is the perfect place," shared Chi Tran, a resident of Milpitas, who attended with his wife and 4-year-old son.

Attendees at the event enjoyed Vietnamese music performances, participated in fair games, and savored a variety of traditional Vietnamese dishes. Many stated they brought their children to the festival to help them maintain a connection to their cultural roots. Some children even wore traditional ao dai to the event.

"This is the traditional Vietnamese ao dai. My son, my wife, and I are all wearing it. Even though he was born here, we still try to let him feel a bit of Vietnamese tradition," Tran said.

For Tran, the Binh Ngo year holds special significance. "The Year of the Horse will bring a lot of prosperity and good fortune," he added.

Organizers estimated 70,000 people attended last year's Tet Festival and anticipate exceeding that number this year, despite a forecast of rain in the area.

Participants at the Tet Festival in San Jose, from a CBS News video posted on 13/2. Screenshot

According to US census data, San Jose is home to the largest Vietnamese-American population in the country and among cities outside Vietnam, with over 150,000 Vietnamese-Americans residing there.

Not far from the festival grounds, many families visited the Grand Century shopping center to purchase food and decorations before Tet.

"We will decorate and spend time cleaning the house to ensure everything is beautiful," said Annie Nguyen-Barany, a resident of Berkeley.

Many families are also planning large reunion dinners to welcome the new year. "My grandchild loves red envelopes and meeting other Vietnamese families to practice Vietnamese," Rumi Barany said.

For Tran's family and many others, Lunar New Year is both a time to honor traditions and to look forward to a hopeful future.

"We wish everyone a happy new year. May 2026 bring you much prosperity, peace, joy, and happiness," Tran stated.

By Pham Giang (According to CBS News)