I still remember the last time I came back to celebrate Tet in Vietnam.
In faraway Canada, Xuan Uyen and her mother always keep the family atmosphere of Lunar New Year alive, even though they do not live in their homeland. Every time Tet comes, Uyen and her mother eagerly wrap Chung cakes, decorate the house, creating a miniature Tet space full of colors and Vietnamese flavors right in the middle of Canada.
Jullisa Xuan Uyen
PHOTO: NVCC
What is special is that despite living in another country, Uyen and her siblings have no difficulty integrating between the two cultures. Uyen said that her mother taught her to preserve traditional values from a young age.
Uyen clearly remembers the first time she returned to Vietnam to celebrate Tet in 2020. This was a special occasion when her grandparents, siblings and youngest uncle all returned to Vietnam to celebrate Tet. The family traveled to many provinces to experience the Tet atmosphere in different regions of Vietnam.
Jullisa Xuan Uyen and her children excitedly celebrate Lunar New Year in Canada
PHOTO: NVCC
“During Tet in Ho Chi Minh City, my family watched fireworks together, walked Nguyen Hue Flower Street, visited the apricot blossom street at the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural House and the Chinese area in District 5. Everyone will never forget the beautiful memories of celebrating Tet in Ho Chi Minh City, where my mother was born and the tradition has been preserved for many generations,” Uyen recalled.
When she returned to Canada, Uyen always remembered New Year's Eve in Ho Chi Minh City. On the morning of the first day, the family members gathered at the house of the eldest uncle in the family. Uyen said that although her uncle had passed away a long time ago, leaving only her aunt and uncles, the family still kept the tradition of giving lucky money, receiving lucky money, eating, and chatting on the first day of the year. The following days were spent going to each family member's house to eat, drink, and have fun.
15 years of preserving a miniature Tet space in a foreign land
Uyen’s mother, Ms. Tran Le Hong Phuoc (46 years old), was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, and has been in Canada for more than 15 years. During that time, although she has become accustomed to life in the land of maple leaves, she still cannot forget the memories of the old Tet seasons in Vietnam.
She said that during her first time celebrating Tet in Canada, she was very excited to be able to join in the New Year countdown in the city center. However, when she got to the center, Ms. Phuoc saw no one gathered, only snow and cold air.
Jullisa Xuan Uyen excitedly prepares lucky money for the children
PHOTO: NVCC
“I couldn’t hold back my tears because Tet here is so different from back home, it passes so quietly,” Ms. Phuoc recounted.
In the following years, when she had her first child, Ms. Phuoc began to organize a small Tet space for her family in Canada. Although not a large celebration, traditional Tet dishes from banh chung to jam, were a way to connect the family with the beautiful memories they had in their homeland.
During her first years living in rural Canada, Ms. Phuoc often asked relatives living in Vietnam to send her decorations and sweets. Now that she has returned to the big city, preparing for Tet has become much easier. In addition, by accumulating decorations over the years, the family has more options to make the Tet space more cozy and beautiful.
Ms. Phuoc believes that if she waits for her children to grow up before starting to teach them, there will be certain obstacles. Therefore, from a young age, the whole family has been involved in Vietnamese culture, from food, festivals to lessons about traditions, so that Uyen and her siblings remember their roots.
Uyen said her mother taught her that no matter where she goes, she still retains her Vietnamese blood. Therefore, when she grew up, Uyen always wanted to preserve Vietnamese cultural values.
Tet space at Jullisa Xuan Uyen's house in Canada
PHOTO: NVCC
"We need to share first to receive love from everyone", that is the thought that Uyen's mother always tries to teach her children. Ms. Phuoc always wants her children to have the most complete Tet holiday, whether in Vietnam or elsewhere.
According to Ms. Phuoc, no matter where she is, Tet is always an occasion for the family to get closer together. Memories of Tet in their homeland are always a source of motivation for Ms. Phuoc and Uyen to maintain and promote the good values of Vietnamese culture in foreign lands.
Banh cuon dish cooked by Ms. Phuoc for Tet
PHOTO: NVCC
"I was taught that happy moments with my family during Tet are not only a reunion, but also a way to pass on love and respect for our roots to future generations," Uyen obeyed her mother's teachings.
Thanhnien.vn
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