Say farewell to the year of the Dragon, as we welcome the year of the Snake in this Tet 2013. For those who are not familiar with the Vietnamese language, “Tet” is the direct Vietnamese translation for New Years. It’s called the “Lunar New Years” to be exact. Unlike the American New Years, which is celebrated on the first of January, the Asian New Year’s is celebrated according to the Moon’s calendar, which varies every year.

This year, Tet falls on February 10, 2013, exactly 22 days after the Miss Vietnam of Northern California Pageant. Thousands of people gathered at the newly developed Vietnam Town in San Jose (right off of Story Rd on Hwy 101). There were vendors, prizes, games, food and of course our beautiful Hoa-Hau Ao Dai and A-Hau’s present.

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On February 10, 2013 thousands of people gathered at the newly developed Vietnam Town (right off Story Rd in San Jose, CAlifornia) to celebrate the Tet (Lunar New Years). There were a handful of lovely young men and women who put on a dramatic presentation to commence the Year of the Snake/Serpent

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This show was no less than extraordinary. There were beautiful costumes, drums, gongs, songs, music, singers, lion dancers, our beautiful Hoa-Hau’s and so much more.

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People lined up to observe the opening ceremony close up.

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The Vietnamese flag floated graciously in the wind. To many, it symbolizes as the freedom, equality, and opportunity we are so blessed to have been given on this beautiful sunny day.

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Seats were laid out for the elderly and for those who wanted to rest their feet while they enjoyed the show.

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Bright, colorful, and beautifully decorated costumes in red, yellow, blue and green.

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This young man was apart of the show. He waited patiently for his que to hit the drums.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Tet Lunar New Year 2013 - Image 011The opening ceremony officially began when the “Si Quan” made their appearance. In front of the crowd they hoisted both the American and Vietnamese flags high up in the air. Then a moment of silence initiated as people put their right hand over their chest to commemorate their respect.

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The Hoa-Hau Ao Dai Bac Cali royal court, Mrs. Hoa-Hau Bich Lien, along with many others were honorably invited to stand on stage.

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Here are our beautiful Hoa-Hau and A-Hau‘s.

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There were television and radio coverage. They were spotted all in the front row to ensure the absolute best shots and angles.

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Mrs. Bich Lien (Mrs. Asia International) in red.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Bac Cali, from left to right: Huyen Tran (big sister), Nguyen Diem Sandy (A-Hau Duyen Dang 2013), Phuong Hoang (A-Hau IV 2013), Tran Le Nguyen Minh (Hoa-Hau Ao Dai 2013), Anh Thu (A-Hau II 2013), and Ly Hong Yen Yvonne (A-Hau Thang Thien 2013).

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It has appeared Tran Le Minh (Hoa Hau Ao Dai 2013) has spotted the paparazzi.

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Too cute for words to describe! Just look at his tiny uniform.

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Nguyen Diem Sandy (A-Hau Duyen Dang 2013)

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Perhaps a future Hoa-Hau Ao Dai.

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Vietoday Television was on site to do live coverage of this colorful event.

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This was around noon. The crowd barely got started.

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The “Si Quan” stood at their table/booth to greet interested guests.

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The littlest “Si Quan”

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Casinos love Asian people! People waited in really long lines to grab a few of their souvenirs. Can you believe this is just the front of the line?

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This photographer was the first to give our Hoa-Hau and A-Hau’s each a “li xi” (red envelope filled with good luck money)

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Mrs. Hoa Hau Bich Lien joined our Hoa-Hau and A-Hau for a photo. Congratulations to her, she recently won the Mrs. Asian International title.

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Tran Le Nguyen Minh and her sparkly crown
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Lion/Dragon dancers line up and waited for their signal to bring the Dragon to life.

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You may not see everything from sitting this far, but you can definitely hear everything. There were giant speakers placed all over.

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These photo pros never miss a great photo opportunity.

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These ladies pose with their red envelopes (li xi’s). From left to right: Nguyen Diem Sandy (A-Hau Duyen Dang), Tran Vu Phuong Hoang (A-Hau IV), Tran Le Nguyen Minh (Hoa-Hau Ao Dai Ba Cali 2013), Vu Thi Anh Thu (A-Hau II), and Ly Hong Yen Yvonne (A-Hau Than Thien)

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Photographer, Kevin Nguyen chat with our pretty ladies.

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Our Hoa-Hau and A-Hau’s never turn down a photo with their admirers. Here these two young men couldn’t be any happier. Notice the poor guy on the left has to tip-toe his way to head height with our girls. How can you not love this guy for trying? Kudos!

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Tet Lunar New Year 2013 - Image 052Where our Hoa-Hau and A-Hau’s go, their faithful photographer, Kevin Nguyen (lighttouchstudio.com) follows (with his camera)

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The host of VietFace TV

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The girls were lending a helping hand and a beautiful smile at one of the pageant sponsors’ booth.

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Vietoday reporter Ngoc Thuy was spotted in the crowd.

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Lion dancers were on scene to bless the individual booths with health, wealth and good luck. These lions are friendly and playful mystical creatures. They won’t bite. If you are lucky they might let you pet them as this one lady is doing.

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Where ever there are lions there is the big bellied Buddha. Rub his belly for good luck!

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When mystical Lions appear you would know. Drums are played and gongs are hit.

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Tran Le Nguyen Minh (Hoa-Hau Ao Dai Bac California 2013) and Anh Thu (A-Hau IV 2013

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It’s just Kevin Nguyen doing what he does best.

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Vovinam and their blue disciples.

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Hoa Hau Bich Lien’s stage were full with people by around 2PM.

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Mrs. Bich Lien making a stage appearance herself.

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Hoa Hau Ao Dai Tet Lunar New Year 2013 - Image 110This stunning lady in red is Jessica Tran and she is Hoa-Hau Ao Dai Bac Cali 2010.

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The Hoa-Hau and A-Hau’s are heading to Paloma Restaurant to get some grub. The Paloma has been a long time sponsor of the Miss Vietnam of Northern California pageant.

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If fire crackers were a steroid, this would be it. The guys to the left were lighting them left and right. It was so loud, that these people on the right had to cover their ears. Not to mention, the air was filled with gun powder and dark smoke. People who wanted to watch this spectacle had to stand far away. Standing this close was unbearable, unless it was your kind of thing!

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Bubbles and people make a superb combination.

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We are back at Bich Lien’s stage, which was set up in front of her skin care shop.

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The Hoa-Hau and A-Hau’s stopped by to say hello.

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Mrs. Bich Lien was so gracious, that she handed out red envelopes to our girls.

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No one loves beauty pageants more than this lovely woman. Can’t you tell? Just two months earlier she entered and WON the Mrs. Asia International competition. Congratulations to her success. The crown fits her very well.

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Now Mrs. Bich Lien does what she does best (besides being gorgeous at her age) is being an ambassador for beautiful, healthy looking skin. She goes behind the counter to give our ladies quick tips and samples of some from her own line of skin care products.

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From beauty queen to skin care consultant, Mrs. Bich Lien provides some lotion for our ladies dried hands.

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