NATCHEZ — While the rest of the Miss-Lou hung up their New Year 2019 hats in January, the Vietnamese calendar won’t change until the Vietnamese New Year, which coincides with the full moon on Tuesday.

Local Vietnamese-Americans are inviting everyone to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year on Sunday, with traditional Vietnamese food, drinks and decorations, said Bui “Tony” Tien, a spokesperson for the free event.

The party starts at noon Sunday at 101 Northgate Road, Suite A, in Natchez, and all races and cultures are welcome to join in on the fun, he said.

“This is our first time to do this,” Tien said. “We’re trying to connect all the Vietnamese-Americans in Natchez and Vidalia. … There’s not too many, but I think enough. We’re trying to let the people know that we are here to celebrate the Vietnamese New Year.”

Natchez mayor Darryl Grennell said he would be attending the celebration and issuing a proclamation in recognition of the Vietnamese holiday in Natchez.

“I was really excited to be a part of it,” Grennell said. “They asked if I would come to their celebration and issue a proclamation to declare Vietnamese New Year in Natchez and asked the mayor of Vidalia (Buz Craft) to come and do the same.”

Grennell said as the Vietnamese population grows, he would like to see the Vietnamese New Year become as large of a celebration in America as Cinco De Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day or any other cross-cultural celebration.

“I hope, as I told them, that this would become an annual event and grows to become something big — bringing all cultures and people together. … A lot of our local businesses are owned by Vietnamese-Americans … and it’s important to recognize those cultures.”

Tien said approximately 30 to 40 local Vietnamese-Americans have planned the celebration for more than a year, and he expects a fairly large gathering.

“We tried to reach out to as many as we can,” Tien said. “Anyone can come and celebrate with us.”

The celebration begins noon Sunday at 101 Northgate Road, Suite A, in Natchez.