Thirty years ago, I was deeply honored to cut the very first ribbon to launch Tết in Seattle. This year 2026, to once again stand and cut the ribbon for the festival’s 30th anniversary fills me with overwhelming emotion and gratitude. It is a full-circle moment seeing how our dream of bringing the Vietnamese culture and community together has grown beyond imagination.

Congratulations to the incredible Tết in Seattle team for carrying forward this mission with passion, dedication and heart, preserving our culture and creating a festival that brings generations together in joy and celebration year after year.

From its first public festival in 1996, with the support of the University of Washington (UW) Vietnamese Student Association, Liên Đoàn Hướng Đạo Việt Hùng, Hội Võ Thuật Thiếu Niên Tacoma, UW School of Social Work, City of Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Neighbors to Neighbors Foundation and the Seattle Center Advisory Commission, Tết in Seattle has blossomed from small community gatherings into a vibrant, joyful celebration of tradition, pride and connection. 

Big congratulations to the Tết in Seattle team on three decades of community, culture and celebration. Here’s to the next 30!

Ms. Minh Ðức Phạm Nguyễn