The Lunar New Year is one of East Asia’s most significant cultural celebrations, and at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC), students, faculty and staff recently had the opportunity to experience it firsthand.
In 2026, the Lunar New Year began Feb. 17, ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse, a zodiac combination that occurs only once every 60 years.
For Khoi Duong, ’27, a GGC student and Lawrenceville resident majoring in business administration with a marketing concentration, the event provided an opportunity to share the traditions of his Vietnamese heritage with the campus community.
“Lunar New Year is a time to put all our differences aside and celebrate culture and tradition. Overall, the festival dived headfirst into what it's like to live in the Vietnamese tradition,” he said. “The event gave students the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Vietnamese culture.”
The celebration featured several themed tables, including stations offering samples of traditional Vietnamese snacks and displays highlighting meaningful customs.
“Each table had its own story to it. There were also tables showcasing li xi (red envelopes), which is also a huge part of our tradition,” he added.
Li xi, meaning “lucky money,” is placed inside small red envelopes and given to children, elders and young adults. The amount of money is not what matters, it’s the gesture itself which symbolizes blessings of good luck, health and prosperity for the year ahead. The red color represents protection against evil spirits and reflects hopes for a prosperous new year.
Image caption: Khoi Duong shares reflections on his cultural heritage with fellow Georgia Gwinnett College students during a Lunar New Year celebration hosted jointly by the Asian Student Association (ASA) and the Vietnamese Student Association (VSA). The event – held on Monday, February 23, 2026, in the Student Center lounge in Building E – featured traditional games, culturally significant snacks and opportunities for participants to learn origami as part of the festivities honoring the Year of the Horse.