Foreigners celebrate Vietnam’s Lunar New Year

People enjoy calligraphy demonstration at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi.

Lou said “I want to learn about the traditional customs of Vietnamese people during Tet and how they celebrate this festival”.

Lou shares an interest in Vietnamese culture with Hitomi Okamara from Japan. Hitomi told VOV “I want to experience a Vietnamese Tet. I will try traditional dishes such as sugar coated fruits, green square sticky rice cake, bamboo shoot soup, and pork paste. I’m fond of the Vietnamese custom of “xuat hanh” or leaving houses on New Year’s Day to seek luck for the whole family”.

Shehan Ruwanma Perena considers Tet a chance to get an insight into Vietnamese culture and to introduce his Sri Lankan culture to Vietnamese friends. He elaborated “I prepare curry for my friends. You know, in my country, people like to consume food with high amount of sugar, salt, and spice. I know that people here don’t like much spicy food so I will season the dish when I cook to suit my friends’ taste.” 

Many foreigners chose this occasion to visit Vietnam, including Soren Drott from Australia, who is in Dalat. His best impression of Tet is family reunion. He said “I’m keen on Vietnam’s traditional customs during Tet. I love Vietnamese food. The cylindrical sticky rice cake tastes so good”.

Frenchman Bobby has visited in Vietnam several times. He says that during Tet, streets are quiet and most restaurants are closed. What he loves most about Tet is that Vietnamese people, even those who don’t know each other, exchange wishes as if they were acquainted. He is also delighted that colorful flowers are everywhere in Ho Chi Minh city at this time. Bobby said “I like Saigon, especially during Tet. All the families gather together. It’s warm. I know it’s a special moment for Vietnamese people. I love all the colors, the activities, the flower, and the people.” Colin, an American visitor said experiencing Tet in Ho Chi Minh city is the best thing he has done during his Vietnam trip. 

“It’s exciting. It’s special. It gives the feeling of cultural difference between the US and Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is a lovely city. People are lovely and friendly. This is an adventure as what I expect”, said Colin. 

A new year has already arrived, bringing great joy to Vietnamese people and their international friends. Tet has made everyone closer, no matter where they are from.