Feeling of Traditional Vietnamese New Year

For foreigners living in Vietnam, the traditional Tet holiday always leaves in them interesting and unforgettable emotions. The New Year is an opportunity to look back on past events, to express hope, and to exchange best wishes. Welcoming the New Year 2021, the Year of the Buffalo, the Vietnam Business Forum would like to share some comments and messages by ambassadors and representatives of international organizations about Vietnam's traditional Tet holiday.

H.E. Deborah Paul, Ambassador of Canada to Vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful and dynamic country, steeped in rich cultural traditions that have been fascinating to learn about.  Since my arrival as Ambassador in late 2018, I have been inspired by the people and charmed by the warm welcome I have received.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to learn to make ‘bánh chưng’ with students at Nguyễn Đình Chiểu school with the Ambassadors of New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland – in fact, we made a video about it to wish everyone a happy Tet and to celebrate inclusion.  I was also honored to be invited to a traditional Vietnamese Tet party, where I realized that eating and drinking with friends and family goes on all day (and perhaps several days!).  I also enjoy seeing kumquat trees and peach blossom branches being delivered around the city on the backs of motorbikes – one of the first signs of spring!  

In fact, Tet celebrations take place not only here in Vietnam, but around the world, including in Canada among the close to 250,000 Vietnamese-Canadians.  Their cultural traditions have become an integral part of Canada’s multicultural fabric.

Let me wish you a wonderful Tet celebration, and a happy, healthy, prosperous new year! Chúc mừng năm mới!

H.E. Antonio Alessandro - Italian Ambassador to Vietnam

This will be my third Lunar New Year in Vietnam and the possibility to celebrate it in a COVID-free country is a blessing and a great achievement of the Vietnamese people and government. During the years of Pig and Rat I enjoyed the extraordinary cultural diversity of Vietnam and the warm atmosphere of Tet. My wife and I especially enjoy the flower market of Tay Ho in Hanoi, with the blossoming peach and apricot branches and the gorgeous kumquat and pomelo trees. Vietnamese Tet is also very close to the Christmas season in Italy, with family and food at the very heart of the festivities. I take this opportunity to wish VCCI and Italy-Vietnam economic and trade relations a great new year of success and recovery.

Ms. Morakot Janemathukorn, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Royal Thai Embassy in Hanoi

Xin Chao, Sawaddee ka. As Tet is at hand now, may I share with you some similar words of good wishes in our two countries, i.e. Van su nhu y (may myriad things go according to your will, Cung hi phat tai (congratulations and be prosperous), Hoa Binh (may peace be with you). As I am a well-wisher, may god bless you all these words.

Expats are always asked about the differences living in one’s home country and Hanoi. Well, I feel almost like living at home cultural wise. Vietnam and Thailand are very similar in many aspects, ranging from attributes of people, way of life, acceptance of their societal traits of multiculturalism and faith. 

The above wishing practice is an example we share especially in a number of Thai communities, business and big conglomerates originated from Chinese expats long ago. Ancestral worship, family reunion, lucky money, temple visits for donation and good luck, preference of red and gold yellow colors with wishing New Year’s greeting for good health, good fortune, and good luck are our common practices. To acknowledge our pluralistic society, big companies allow staff to choose a day off for either Christmas or lunar New Year.

Mr. Francois Painchaud, IMF Regional Resident Representative for Vietnam and Lao PDR

Last year we felt the exhilaration prior to the Tet holiday. Indeed, Tet is a very special time to celebrate the arrival of the new year, to express our gratitude and to relax with loved ones. We are looking forward to Chung cake and Gio Lua as well as the ubiquitous and delicious Pho and Nem; and the beauty of Peach blossoms and Kumquat trees at flower markets. Given COVID-19, the upcoming year of the Buffalo and the Tet Holiday are even more special. As you know, Vietnam was very successful in achieving the dual goals of COVID-19 containment and economic growth in 2020 so we have additional reasons to celebrate. We are very grateful for living in Vietnam and experiencing another Tet. May the Year of the Buffalo bring you all Happiness, Health and Prosperity. Happy Tet! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới!

Source: Vietnam Business Forum