Lunar New Year festivals and prayers are marking the start of the Year of the Snake around Asia and farther afield.

Several countries mark their new year based on the Chinese lunisolar calendar involving movement of the Sun and Moon.

Asian American communities around the U.S. and around the world are ringing in the Year of the Snake Wednesday, including in New York City. The Lunar New Year, also known as the Chinese New Year or Spring Festival,

Food is also symbolic for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. In the North, Banh Chung, a sticky rice cake with banana leaves, is typically the most popular dish. In Central Vietnam, the savory Bánh Tét cake with rice and green beans is often used to celebrate the new year. Thịt Kho Tàu – a pork and egg dish – is very popular in South Vietnam.

Lunar New Year is here, and so is one of the largest Vietnamese festivals in Louisiana: Tet Fest. To welcome the year of the snake, Tet Fest celebrates with authentic food, music and dances. From Jan.