Samantha Tran, 11:

“Every year, my family goes to the temple on Lunar New Year’s Eve. We pray and thank the Gods for another year of prosperity and health. At the temple, we watch lion dancing and kung fu dancing.

It’s really admirable to see all the young children [at the temple] actively participating in their cultural traditions and putting them on display for others to enjoy, regardless [of] if you’re Asian. My family’s most meaningful tradition is giving out 利是 [lai-see], also known as red pockets, to our loved ones and friends. In this way, we showcase our love and appreciation to them while also wishing them another healthy and prosperous year.

Another important tradition is gathering at my grandparents’ house to feast on delicious, home-cooked, traditional meals ranging from Hong Kong-style to Vietnamese food.

The most important values [that] the Lunar New Year teaches [us to] uphold are family and love. These values are a powerful reminder that no matter the challenges the new year brings, family will always be the constant support and strength a person needs because they will guide you toward a brighter and more joyful future. Lunar New Year is not just a celebration — it’s a promise to our loved ones and ourselves.”

Dylan Tran, 11:

“For the Lunar New Year, my family and I mostly clean the house the days before New Year’s Eve. My mom is very superstitious, so she makes sure everything is perfect by New Year’s Day so we don’t do anything that would set an ominous tone for the rest of the year.

Things my family makes sure not to do on New Year’s Day is sweep, take a shower or just clean in general as it means taking all luck and wealth away from the year.

I mostly follow my family’s traditions when celebrating the Lunar New Year. We eat Vietnamese pastries unique to the new year, like bánh tét. Sometimes, we go to the temple at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ring in the New Year right from the start. I used to go a lot more when I was younger, but now that I’m older, we mainly practice traditions that involve prepping for the new year.”

Caroline Le, 9:

“I am Vietnamese, so for the new year, my family from around town comes together to a particular relative’s house, and we watch lion dances. In Vietnamese, they are called múa lân, and they dance around and do stunts, going around the house and blessing it to protect us from evil spirits throughout the year.

My family also passes out red envelopes called lì xì, and it is mostly the aunts, uncles and grandparents who give them to my cousins and the younger kids of the family. All my cousins get in one long line waiting to receive a lì xì after we wish each relative positive things for the new year.

I traditionally wish my elders things like good health, prosperity and longevity. There are many different sayings but the one I say the most is ‘mạnh khoẻ’ which means to be strong and healthy.

For food, my family has one large potluck where everyone brings a dish. Normally, we have Vietnamese dishes and pastries like thịt kho trứng, bánh tét and banh chung. We also have little desserts like red bean dumplings or mochi. I am not a big fan of red bean, but it is always featured in the lineup of Lunar New Year traditions in my household.”

Sherrie Luo, 11:

“For the Lunar New Year, my family and I eat fruit or jelly cake, seafood and other meat dishes. We eat most of the dishes but then save some for our ancestors when we light incense to pay our respects going into the new year. My family makes dishes like Peking duck, carp stew with tofu and cilantro, steamed flounder with green onion and fried fish balls.

My family and I enjoy celebrating in Chinatown, watching dragon dances and going out to eat. We visit multiple Chinese community centers and restaurants and enjoy our time as we enter a new year.

My family and I don’t do much when prepping for the new year. We mostly clean our house. On New Year’s Day, when celebrating the new year, my family encourages each other to wear red and [other] colors that represent positive meanings, like good fortune and wealth going into the new year.”