🧧 Chúc Mừng Năm Mới — Happy Lunar New Year

Every year, when Lunar New Year arrives, I find myself back in the same place — standing in my parents' restaurant, watching the city they chose come alive around them.

Sioux Falls has always been a city of people who showed up and built something. My parents were two of them. They opened the first Vietnamese restaurant in town, raised three boys behind the counter, and built something that outlasted anyone's expectations. They now own the building where that story began.

Lunar New Year was never just a holiday in our house. It was a reminder of where we came from, what we were building, and who we were building it for.

This year, I want to share that reminder with all of Sioux Falls.

The Red Envelope

One of my favorite Lunar New Year traditions is the lì xì — the red envelope.

Elders give them to children as a symbol of luck, love, and a fresh start. The color red represents prosperity and good fortune. But the gift was never really about the money inside. It was about the gesture. It was one generation saying to the next: I see you. I'm rooting for you. Here's a little something to help you on your way.

That tradition has stuck with me. Because when I think about what city government should do for its residents — especially its young families, its new Americans, its entrepreneurs just getting started — it's not so different. It's about showing up. Investing in people. Saying: we see you, and we're going to make sure this city works for you too.

What Lunar New Year Means

Lunar New Year — celebrated across Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and many other Asian communities — marks the start of a new cycle. It's a time to honor family, let go of what wasn't working, and step forward with intention.

The core wishes of the season are simple and universal: health, happiness, and prosperity. Not just for your own household, but for your neighbors, your community, your city.

That spirit of collective prosperity is something Sioux Falls was built on. And it's something I think about every day as I run for City Council.

What Prosperity Actually Looks Like

Prosperity isn't just an economic number. It's a feeling. It's a parent knowing their kid can afford to stay in the city they grew up in. It's an entrepreneur who doesn't have to navigate a maze of red tape just to open their doors. It's a neighborhood where the sidewalks are safe, the parks are maintained, and City Hall actually shows up.

That's the Sioux Falls I'm fighting for.

My campaign is built on three pillars — and each one is rooted in the same idea that Lunar New Year celebrates: that when people are given a real chance, they rise.

Responsible Growth means we plan ahead. We coordinate road and utility work so neighborhoods aren't torn up twice. We invest in water and sewer capacity that keeps pace with our growth. We support workforce and affordable housing so the people who build this city can live in it.

Vibrant Community means we make it easier for small businesses to open and thrive. We activate our storefronts, support our arts and culture scene, and keep our public spaces clean and welcoming. A city that's alive and full of energy is a city people want to call home.

Equal Opportunity means every family gets a fair shot — regardless of zip code, language, or background. It means multilingual city services, neighborhood investments in every quadrant, and bringing City Hall to the people instead of making people chase City Hall.

For Every Family That Came Here with Hope

There are families all across this city right now — new Americans, longtime residents, young people just starting out — who are betting on Sioux Falls. They're showing up, working hard, and hoping this city meets them halfway.

That's what I think about when I celebrate Lunar New Year. Not just my family's story, but all of ours.

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới. Wishing you and your family health, happiness, and a very prosperous new year.

Sioux Falls is the best little city in America. Let's make sure it stays that way — for everyone.

Let's rise together. ☀️

— Vince Danh Candidate, Sioux Falls City Council At-Large | June 2nd, 2026

vinceforsiouxfalls.com