EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In the goal of preserving and promoting this unique Vietnamese tradition, the Vietnamese American Cultural & Educational Association of the Bay Area (VACed) in collaboration with other Community-based organizations, Business Development Agencies and the Vietnamese American Media of the Bay Area will again organize Oakland TET Festival on January 22^nd. 2006 at Clinton Square Park, which is located in the heart of the most diverse population of the City of Oakland, California.

The objectives of this year’s Tet Festival will remain consistent with that of prior years; to target market audience’s young and old and across all racial and cultural barriers. Like years past, this year’s Tet Festival is expected to draw a record number of more than 10,000 people to this colorful event.

The team responsible for running this event is those people of good experiences and very well known in the Vietnamese American community of the Bay Area. VACed is proud to have earned strong support from the City and from the community. We hope that Oakland TET Festival will be memorable for everyone.

As a means to preserve tradition, The Vietnamese American Cultural & Educational association of the Bay Area (VACed) celebrates the annual Lunar New Year – also known as the TET Festival. It is our long-standing tradition and is the most popular and single-most celebrated holiday within the Vietnamese and Chinese communities everywhere. It encompasses the spirit and excitement of all holidays such as Thanksgivings, Christmas and New Year.

Since our establishment in 2003 as a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation, in recognition of the cultural significance of TET, VACed organized an annual celebration of Tet for the City of Oakland in order to maintain a core tradition and cultural heritage of the Vietnamese American community. Because this event attracts more than 10,000 patrons yearly, it serves as one of the largest cultural event of the City of Oakland.

This year, as we celebrate the Year of the Dog at Clinton Square Park, thousands of people, young and old, and from all walks of life are expected to attend the festival. We invite you to support this cultural tradition and reach out into the fastest most avid minority group.

The Tet Organizing committee consists of many community organizations and individuals and is set up to meet and plan for the festival each year with the participation and assistance from the City of Oakland/District 2 Office. VACed appoints one of its members to serve as the coordinator for that year’s festival. The Coordinator conducts meeting, handles public relations matters, secures facility and permit, administers and conducts fundraising efforts, and oversees the overall operation of the Festival. Our motto is “ rely on the people you can trust to make the event successful”

Oakland TET Festival is supported by contributions from the public and area businesses, and by sponsorship from private companies and government agencies. Past contributors included: Bank of America, East West Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Western Union, Port of Oakland, California Waste Solution, New York Life Company, Clorox company, Selection Realty, Hai Pham Dental Services, etc…

Current estimates which are based on census 2000 reveal that there are approximately 600,000 Vietnamese residing in California. Out of this number, the Bay Area alone account for 160,000. Alameda County of East Bay prides itself as the heart of the most diverse population group of Northern California, and Oakland City is the focal point for both short-term and long-tern development plan of the East Bay. The Clinton Square Park is right in the heart of the area most populated with Southeast Asians, notably the Vietnamese and so conveniently accessible through public transportation. The estimated population within the 10-mile radius of the Clinton Square Park is roughly half a million.

The 2006 Oakland Tet Festival offers a variety of attractions respond to the tastes of all ages which range from international music and cultural dances, kids talents competition, Chinese chess competition, dragon dance, martial art demonstration, volleyball competition and many more.

Participants to the Festival enjoy FREE entertainment in addition to FREE admission, and many incentive souvenir gifts.

The Vietnamese Food Court will offer all food lovers the taste of typical dishes originated from the three part of Vietnam.

Miss Khanh Ly is truly the people’s pop singer. Throughout her illustrious career (1959-present), she has been constantly on the move, recording music, and performing for people all over the world. Her humanitarian effort has not gone unnoticed by her peers, as many generations of young performers have looked to Khanh Ly as an example of a fine Vietnamese woman and a bright shining star in the Vietnamese music industry.(Excerpt from Khanh Ly website)

Nhu Quynh is a Vietnamese singer who has changed the Vietnamese music industry for the better. She changed the traditional country Vietnamese music by remixing it and giving it a newer sound, but still keeping it’s originality. Enabling her to reach a younger artist, but still keep the love of the older generations. She models the look of the the traditional Vietnamese girl with her long waist length black hair and her traditional “ao dai” – Vietnamese long dress – (Excerpt from Asian entertainment website)

Miss Huong Lan was only five year old when she was introduced to the stage by her father, actor Huu Phuoc. She made her debut on stage in Thieu Phu Nam xuong , a Vietnamese opera production. At age 10, Huong lan made a crossover to Vietnamese popular music singing for the first time. Her beautiful voice and stage presence won the heart of many people.In term of popular music, Huong Lan likes songs that glorify the beauty of Vietnam and romantic ballads. (Excerpt from Vietscape.com)