Montreal celebrates Vietnamese Lunar New Year, marks 50th anniversary of refugee arrival
Posted January 19, 2025 11:35 am.
Last Updated January 20, 2025 11:03 am.
Montrealers are showcasing Vietnamese culture and celebrating the Lunar New Year as part of the Têt Festival.
The festival marks a special occasion: the 50th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese refugees in Canada. Organizers said it’s also a way to pay tribute to the resilience and contributions of the Vietnamese community in Canada over the past five decades.

“It’s a milestone for the Vietnamese community across the globe, for all the refugees of the country since 1975. It’s been over 15 years. So today, it’s important we come together to celebrate, reflect on the past, and acknowledge the journeys in the search for freedom,” said Yvonne Nguyen, vice-president of external affairs, Vietnamese Community in Canada – Montreal region..
“The first wave was the post-war refugees. The second wave was people who sponsored their parents and families to Montreal, Canada. And the last, the third generation, was the new professionals coming to Canada. So this is why it’s so important to come here and celebrate together,” explained Charles Nguyen, spokesperson, Vietnamese Community in Canada – Montreal region.
Ngoc Quang Nguyen was one of the immigrants who arrived in Montreal in 1975, a day he will never forget.

“When we arrived here, it was springtime, so it wasn’t too bad. We were really looking forward to winter because we never had snow in our country. So the first time it started to get colder and we saw vapor or smoke come out of our mouths, it was quite an experience. Then, when the first snow came, everybody came out at midnight to see the snowflakes and feel them. It was quite an experience,” he said.
“What we remember the most is how we were accepted. We were received by the people of Quebec, of Montreal, of Canada. We’re very, very grateful for that,” he added.
Anhtuan Hoang is another refugee who arrived in Montreal in 1980.

“I came at 16-years-old. At that time, I came alone, so I had to stay with the family doctor, that foster family, for about three or four years with a Canadian family. I adapted to Canadian life easily at that time,” he said.
“We feel very welcome in Canada, especially in Canada. For me, I feel like this is my home. I’ve spent more time here than in my country, so I feel more Canadian than Vietnamese. But deep in my heart, I’m still Vietnamese,” he added.
They are celebrating with the community at the festival, which is hosted by the Vietnamese Community in Canada – Montreal Region. Founded in 1976, they are a non-profit organization led by a volunteer board of directors. Their mission is to promote Vietnamese cultural identity.

“I’m part of the organizing committee with the president, and we have a crew of the younger generation. It’s all part of the organizing team this year, which is great because it’s important for the younger generation. They recognize the journey of the parents, where they come from, and I think that’s the mission. It’s a message for all the new generation that we’re here because of the sacrifices of our parents,” said Yvonne.
“I came here, for example, my dad left Vietnam, my mom, empty-handed, part of the people. They came here empty-handed and started from scratch. They sacrificed what they had for us and the younger generations to have a better future here. So it’s a thanks to our parents and a thanks also to the government for welcoming us with open arms,” she added.

“The festival is actually the first day of spring in Vietnam,” adds Charles.
“The market is usually two weeks before the event, so people can go out and get flowers, clothes, and great food to prepare for the event.”

2025 is the year of the snake. At the festival, attendees have plenty to enjoy.
“What are people going to be expecting at the festival? First of all, a heck of a lot of food. You’ll be able to try dishes that you can’t try during the rest of the year. For example, banh tinh and banh dheck, which essentially represent the heavens and earth. They are made in Montreal with pork belly, pumpkins, and a lot of tasty food. But also, great entertainment. You’ll be able to see a dragon dance, a lot of special dance performances, cultural dances, ethnic dance performances, as well as singers. We have special famous singers coming in from the States, Vietnamese-American, and Vietnamese-Canadian singers also. Just a heck of a lot of celebration,” explained Charles.

“We always ask ourselves, who are we? What does it mean to be Vietnamese? Well, this is it. This is the place where friends and family, or more so, family and friends in that order, come together and celebrate over a great meal, reflect on the past year, and wish each other good luck. Basically, this is what it’s about.”
Yvonne spoke about the importance of the event.

“It’s very touching to see so many people and dignitaries here. We have the leaders of many Vietnamese associations across Canada, from Toronto, from Ottawa. We’re all here for a common goal, and that’s what links us all together. After all, we see that it’s a huge public event. It’s not only for the Vietnamese community but also to share our heritage and culture with other communities as well. I hope that you enjoy the event and celebrate this important milestone with us.”
Charles added, “It’s probably the most important holiday in Vietnam. It’s all about bringing families together. People travel hundreds of miles or kilometers to go to the event,” adding, “The best family event, not just for the community, but for everyone to come in and enjoy.”
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, spoke about the importance of the festival.

“First, it’s Têt, so it’s a great time of the year for Vietnamese New Year in any year, but this is an important commemoration since it’s the 50th year since the arrival of Vietnamese on boats after the Vietnam War. So, a really important moment in shaping the face of what Montreal now looks like. As I mentioned in my speech, 51 years ago, Montreal didn’t look like this, and I think we’re better as a country, better as a province, and better as a city because of the contributions of the Vietnamese community. The French-speaking element is really important, and the contributions of the community are boundless,” he said.
“You have doctors, engineers, lawyers, just great people who have shaped Montreal and different parts of the country. You heard the person up there saying Quebec was the third biggest recipient of Vietnamese people, and certainly growing up, it was quite obvious in Montreal. So I’m just glad to be here and say hi in this festive moment for mostly Vietnamese people and their families.”

For Ngoc Quang, being at the Têt Festival holds significant meaning to him.
“We don’t celebrate our birthday anniversaries. So for us, the New Year is like everyone gaining another year. It’s the birthday of everybody in our culture. We invite our ancestors to come and celebrate the New Year with us. It’s a way for the family to gather, reflect on our ancestors, and be grateful for what we have accomplished, as well as for our family values.”
“I like to see a lot of compatriots, and it’s a time of the year when, in our daily lives, we all have our jobs and worries. But today, we share the New Year with all the communities and have an opportunity to show our culture to people here. I try to participate every year,” he expressed.
He sends good wishes, saying, “Happy New Year and wishing everyone health, peace, and happiness.”