Congressman Derek Tran Celebrates Lunar New Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Tran issued the following statement celebrating Lunar New Year:

“I want to wish a happy Lunar New Year to everyone celebrating in CA-45, across the country, and around the world. As a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, I am proud to represent the vibrant AANHPI community in California’s 45th District and will continue fighting to ensure your voices are heard in Washington, D.C. May this new year bring happiness, prosperity and good health for all.

“As the son of refugees and the first Vietnamese American to represent Little Saigon in Orange County, California, I was especially proud to don my “áo dài” — a traditional garb that is worn to celebrate special occasions — on the floor of the House of Representatives to celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. I am honored and humbled to represent the culture and heritage of my community in Congress.

“For so many families, including my own, Lunar New Year is a celebration of family, tradition, and the enduring spirit of hope. As we welcome the year of the Wood Snake, I am proud to wish everyone celebrating a happy new year. Chúc mừng năm mới! An khang thịnh vượng. Vạn sự như ý.” 

Lunar New Year celebrates the start of the new year based on the lunisolar calendar and is the most culturally significant holiday celebrated by people in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and in Asian diasporas. In many cultures, each year corresponds with an animal from the zodiac. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 represents the year of the wood snake.

Congressman Derek Tran is a cosponsor of legislation to commemorate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. Rep. Tran also co-sponsored the Lunar New Year Day Act which would recognize Lunar New Year as a federal holiday.

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