Dear VAYA Members and Supporters,

Many thanks to those who contributed and/or came out to support our Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) Event on 9/14/08 and the College Info Session on 9/20/08. We had an astounding turn out for both event and we look forward to providing even MORE cultural events and services to the San Diego Community in the near future.

As October approaches, VAYA is currently preparing for our Staff Retreat scheduled for the weekend of October 3-5, 2008. The goal of this retreat is to establish a stronger workmanship among our dedicated staff, especially those directly involved with the planning of our annual Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) Festival. October is also the month of the San Diego Asian Film Festival (SDAFF). This year, VAYA will be co-presenting two movies that we hope you will find interesting and will enjoy.

The first movie will we co-present is: OH SAIGON (USA/Vietnam): A refugee family faces its divided past to heal wounds of the Vietnam War. This movie will screen on THURSDAY, OCT 9 - 6:10 PM. The second movie will we co-present is: STORY OF SPIRITS (Vietnam): A woman connects with her mother's spirit to learn the truth about her death. This movie will screen on SUNDAY, OCT 12 - 5:20 PM. For more information about the 9th San Diego Asian Film Festival, please visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=9wphwrcab.0.0.6wp5dkcab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sdaff.org%2F&id=preview. If interested in purchasing tickets for these screening through VAYA, please contact info@vayasd.org.

VAYA is in the process of coordinating our "5th Annual Street Cleanup" event, scheduled for Saturday 10/18/08 from 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM. For more information or if interested in coordinating this event and joining this committee, please contact VAYA's 2008 Cleanup Event Coordinator, Toni Nguyen, at (619) 606-4228 or compatta@gmail.com. The committee meets EVERY Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:30 PM at Broadway Coffee (4633 Convoy Street / San Diego, CA 92111). For general information, please email: streetcleanup@vayasd.org

VAYA will also be hosting the "VAYA Tet 2009 Pageant Mixer" at the Santa Fe Room (Balboa Park Club) on Saturday 10/18/08 starting at 5 PM (later on in the day after the "5th Annual Street Cleanup" event). Come to the "Pageant Mixer" to learn more about the 4th Annual Miss Vietnam of San Diego. For more information, please contact Kari Lam or Linda Nguyen / (858) 717-9901 / pageant@sdtet.com / http://www.sdtet.com/

Things are quite exciting as Tet approaches. Don't forget that if you have a Facebook account, please join our "VAYA 2009 Tet Festival" Facebook group and "VAYA" Facebook group to receive updates and annoucements. Come to one of our meetings and be involved, make a difference, and make new friends!

About the Author: Anthony (Vinh) T. Nguyen serves as Secretary for VAYA.

Hi VAYA,

Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival) is around the corner and we want to know what you remember about this festival. Did you do anything special with your family during this holiday? I remember our parents will usually take us to an event where they passed out free lanterns and free candies. When it got closed to dark, we would light our lanterns, walk around in a BIG circle, and sing the popular Tet Trung Thu song. There was also a lantern contest and the kid with the biggest and prettiest lantern would win.

Unfortunately, with so many regulations these days, including strict laws against the usage of "fire" around children, I don't think the children in America will get the actual "Tet Trung Thu" experience as most of did when we were little. Enough said, please share your experience below. I've provided some information about "Tet Trung Thu / Mid-Autumn Festival" below for those interested.

All About Tet Trung Thu, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
By: Erin Henderson

History and celebration of Tet Trung Thu, the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.
Tet Trung Thu, as it is known in Vietnam, or the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival as we refer to it in America, is a wonderful, ancient festival that revolves around children.The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (Tet Trung Thu) dates back as far as 15-20,000 years ago in Southeast Asia, and is traditionally held on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar Month. This year, the date of the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is September 2, the same day as the full moon. The Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is one of the two most popular festivals in Vietnam, and has been important to families in Vietnam for many years.

It is said that originally, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival came about as a way for parents to make up for lost time with their children after harvest season. The harvest was done by September, (August in the Lunar calendar) and the parents were anxious to spend time with their children and do something special with them, as well as celebrate the harvest, after spending much time working hard and away from the family. It was held under the full moon, which represents fullness and prosperity of life.

Tet Trung Thu is very much like a combination of our Halloween and Thanksgiving. Children parade on the streets, while singing and carrying colorful lanterns of different sizes. Some of the popular shapes include fishes, stars, butterflies and a lantern that spins when a candle is inserted, representing the earth circling the sun.

Dances are also traditional, and include the dragon dance and the flower dance.
It is customary to give Banh Trung Thu, boxes of moon cakes, which are traditionally very rich in taste. The cakes are filled with lotus seeds, ground beans and orange peels and have a bright yoke in the center to represent the moon.

Today, the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, as well as encouraging affection for children, promotes education, poetry, dance and arts and crafts.

Many Vietnamese communities in the USA hold Mid-Autumn Moon Festivals, including Washington DC and San Jose. For families that don't live in an area with an organized Tet Trung Thu Festival, have your own! It is a wonderful opportunity to share and learn about your child's culture, and a great opportunity for family fun too!

To help children get ready for the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, parents can help children make their lanterns and costumes for the lantern procession and discuss the history and culture of Vietnam.

Showing our love for our children and teaching of Vietnam's love for their children is a wonderful reason to celebrate!

Credit: http://www.adoptvietnam.org/vietnamese/tet-trung-thu.htm

About the Author: Anthony (Vinh) T. Nguyen serves as Secretary for VAYA.