Firecrackers, parades and prayers marked the Lunar New Year as millions around Asia and farther afield celebrated

Communities across the world begin celebrating Lunar New Year on Jan. 29 — and 2025 marks the Year of the Snake.

Vietnamese families preparing for the Lunar New Year traditionally buy the citrus trees as a symbol of good luck. But extreme weather has hurt this year’s harvest.

To welcome the year of the snake, Tet Fest celebrates with authentic food, music and dances. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, the Mary Queen of Vietnam Church in the Village de L'Est of New Orleans East, the state's largest Vietnamese community, transforms into a culinary wonderland, offering traditional fare like pandan waffles and pho.

The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a traditional Asian celebration that has been observed in for thousands of years. Every winter, Asian communities around the world ring in the Lunar New Year with carnivals, food, family gatherings, parades and more.

A typhoon and extreme heat dramatically affected prices for the kumquat trees that are ubiquitous during the holiday.

As the week-long holiday approaches, shoppers bustled through the market in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, picking up essentials for the celebrations. (AP video shot by Hau Dinh)

People gathered across Vietnam on Tuesday, January 28, to celebrate the arrival of the Lunar New Year with fireworks. RESTRICTIONS AND USAGE TERMS: Please credit “@citanoo via Spectee”. NOTE: Looped video Video Location: Saigon,

Gather your friends and family around the table for a feast of Chinese, Vietnamese, Singaporean and Malaysian favourites. There’s Dan Hong’s special spring rolls, Tony Tan’s Cantonese lobster and much more.

On January 29, 2025, in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, @Pawlicker88 shared a video of the sky lighting up with a breathtaking fireworks display to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake. In the video,

Food is also symbolic for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. In the North, Banh Chung, a sticky rice cake with banana leaves, is typically the most popular dish. In Central Vietnam, the savory Bánh Tét cake with rice and green beans is often used to celebrate the new year. Thịt Kho Tàu – a pork and egg dish – is very popular in South Vietnam.

The Lunar New Year marks a time of renewal, prosperity, and celebration across many Asian cultures, with 2025 ushering in the Year of the Snake. Tulsa will host a free community event on Feb. 1, featuring traditional performances,