Footscray's Vietnamese community was stung when the festival didn't get off the ground last year, for the first time in 20 years.

The council had raised complaints over food handling, public safety and the festival's cultural content with organisers, the Footscray Asian Business Association.

An investigation by the Weekly revealed that the council attempted to take over organising and managing the festival from FABA, then proceeded to drop the ball.

Former mayor Sarah Carter had vowed the festival would be back and this year the council contributed $54,930 in grant money and other support, including parking permits, installation of street banners and

coolroom hire to the festival, which will be held from 10am on Sunday.

Monday of this week marked the official lunar new year and celebrations were held at temples and festivals across the city to usher in the year of the dragon, which is a symbol of luck in many Asian zodiacs.

Maribyrnong mayor John Cumming welcomed the festival's return.

"I went to the first one in Footscray Park 21 years ago.

"The facilities were more primitive then, but it's a first-rate festival now that attracts up to 50,000 people and is of great cultural significance," Cr Cumming said.

"We all lost out [when it wasn't held last year]. It's never a good thing to lose a festival even for one year.

"It creates economic activity in the area and recognises the culture of the people."

FABA president Binh Le said the Vietnamese community was looking forward to the festival and if the weather was good, it could expect more than 50,000 visitors.

"We have the support of the council and we're trying to make it bigger and better than ever."

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