Mira Mesa – Love is in the air as the Vietnamese-American Youth Alliance presents the Spring of Love, a free city-wide Tết festival of games, prizes, food, and entertainment.

This year’s Tết festival falls on Valentine’s Day weekend, Feb. 12-14, 2016, and will emphasize the different kinds of love that we all share. For the New Year 2016, folks are celebrating the unifying love of the Vietnamese people, culture, and legacy. Following the Valentine’s theme, visitors can wish for eternal love at the spectacular wishing tree, capture photos with a romantic photo set, or purchase special roses for loved ones.

For the adventurous, there will be an authentic monkey bridge and other historical sets to take in. The Tết festival will be a host of enough interactive fun and entertainment for everybody!

“VAYA started from a group of young adults attempting to reconnect with their seemingly distant homeland. This passion grew into loving their local San Diego community and wanting to spread the rich traditions and culture that Vietnam has to offer as well as social awareness,” VAYA President Andy Nguyen said. “Since then it has become our mission to give San Diegans and Americans a culturally rich experience that expresses the love and efforts of the people. Everything we do reflects this mission and the values that make it possible.”

The festival, which attracts around 20,000 people each year, promises fun for the whole family with such activities as carnival rides and games, authentic Vietnamese food, lion dancing and firecrackers.

Free entertainment programs, such as high-quality musical acts, the Miss Vietnam of San Diego Pageant and a Cultural Village allows for direct immersion into Vietnamese culture.

Festival Dates and Hours are: Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.