Vietnamese New Year — Free Lunar New Year celebrations in the 13th arrondissement: the Têt festival program

Mark your calendar for February 7, 12, and 21, 2026, at the Paris Cité University’s Grands Moulins Campus to celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese New Year. The festivities will feature craft workshops, traditional storytelling, tea tasting, and cake decorating. Be sure to register now for these free sessions—and join in the celebration!

Mark your calendars for a delightful celebration of the Têt in the 13th arrondissement of Paris, a vibrant neighborhood home to one of the city’s largest Asian communities. From February 7 to 21, 2026, Université Ouverte de Paris Cité will host a series of free workshops celebrating the Vietnamese New Year on the Grands Moulins Campus. This traditional festival offers an immersive journey into Vietnamese customs through creative activities, tastings, and a captivating traditional storytelling session, guaranteed to delight both young and old.

The Têt, marking the first new moon of the year, is much more than a simple calendar shift for the Vietnamese community. It’s a time for family reunions, offerings to ancestors, and preparing traditional dishes that symbolize prosperity and happiness. Just a stone’s throw from Choisy Avenue, the lively heart of Paris’s Asian quarter, this celebration fits seamlessly into the cultural fabric of the 13th arrondissement, where Vietnamese traditions are passed down from one generation to the next.

What’s on the Agenda for Tết 2026 Celebrations?

The Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration takes place over three days, featuring a variety of workshops to immerse visitors in Vietnamese culture. Below is the detailed schedule with times and registration information:

Saturday, February 7, 2026:

2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (duration: 3 hours): To Hé Workshop - To Hé is the traditional art of crafting colorful figurines from rice dough! Think chickens, fish, dragons, fruits, flowers, and famous characters… These tiny figures perched atop bamboo sticks are classic toys enjoyed by children, even as the art form slowly fades in the face of modern toys. Come explore this tradition and make your own edible toys! In partnership with Hanoi 1988. Registration required.

Thursday, February 12, 2026:

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (duration: 2 hours): Moon Festival Cake Decorating Workshop - The most important choice of the session: would you prefer a strawberry or apricot-themed cake? Then, follow the instructor’s guidance as she explains how to decorate a cake inspired by the Moon Festival, sharing decoration ideas and her best piping techniques! This event is in partnership with Hanoi 1988. Pre-registration required.

Saturday, February 21, 2026:

3:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Vietnamese Tea Blending Booth - Dive into the world of Vietnamese tea and craft your own blends inspired by your New Year's zodiac sign with Van and Nuage Sauvage, experts in tea blending. Visitors can create their own unique mix at the stand, guided by seasoned professionals, and take home their personalized blend. No registration required, while stocks last.
2:30 PM – 5:30 PM (duration: 3 hours): To Hé Figurine Workshop - Join the second session of this traditional workshop to craft colorful rice flour figurines. In partnership with Hanoï 1988. Registration mandatory.
3:30 PM – 5:30 PM (duration: 2 hours): Tet-Themed Cake Decoration Workshop - The final session to learn decorating cakes in celebration of the Vietnamese New Year. In partnership with Hanoï 1988. Registration mandatory.
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM (duration: 45 min): Musical Storytelling: “Tet Cakes” - An enchanting performance accompanied by traditional instruments, presented by Tieng To Dong. The legend recounts how King Hong Vuong, the sixth of the Vuong dynasty, felt his strength waning and knew his time to step down was near. Traditionally, his ancestors handed down the throne to their only son—but he had twenty! Who should succeed him? On the eve of the New Year, the king challenges his princes: “Whoever brings me a dish that tells the story of a king and his kingdom, one that all Vietnamese—from the poorest to the richest, the youngest to the oldest—can prepare, will succeed me. I await you at the next Tết celebration.” Thus, the iconic Banh Day and Banh Chung cakes were born, becoming national symbols and integral to Tết festivities. Registration mandatory.

Why Celebrate the Lunar New Year in the 13th Arrondissement?

The 13th arrondissement of Paris has been at the heart of the French Asian community since the 1970s. Famous for its authentic Vietnamese eateries, exotic markets, and Buddhist temples, this neighborhood continues to preserve and celebrate the traditions of Southeast Asia right in the middle of Paris. Celebrating Tet at the Grands Moulins Campus is part of this vibrant cultural tapestry that makes this area so unique — just a stone’s throw from Place d’Italie and Avenue de Choisy.

In short, if you're on the hunt for a fun, affordable way to explore Vietnamese traditions with the family, this Tet celebration offers a wonderful opportunity for a cultural escape without leaving the city. The festivities take place at University Paris Cité, Grands Moulins Campus, on the Vidal-Naquet Esplanade in the 13th arrondissement. Registration is required for all workshops and storytelling sessions, which can be done via the University Paris Cité website. The only stand accessible without prior registration is the tea blending workshop on February 21. We recommend signing up early, as spots are likely to fill up quickly for this event celebrating one of Vietnam's most important holidays.