The first time she came to Vietnam to teach, Ms. Hong Ha Young (Korean) was invited by her students to return to her hometown in Binh Thuan to celebrate Lunar New Year with her family.
Ms. Hong Ha Young (right cover) experiences making traditional green rice cakes with her students' families - Photo: NVCC
Korean girl impressed with Vietnamese Tet
Ms. Hong Ha Young is currently a volunteer lecturer at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology. She said she has been in Vietnam for six months.
She said she really likes Vietnamese culture and people. Especially when wearing the traditional Vietnamese ao dai, she feels very beautiful.
"In Korea, we are also preparing to celebrate Tet. When I was young, my family often gathered at my grandmother's house to celebrate Tet. Now that my grandparents have passed away, it is not the same anymore.
This year, I was able to return to Que Nhu's hometown to celebrate Tet, and I remembered the old memories. I was really happy. Everyone here is very friendly and affectionate. Que Nhu's family welcomed me warmly and always had a big smile on their face," Ms. Hong confided.
Ms. Hong added: "It's really peaceful and happy here. Nhu Que's parents treat me like their eldest daughter and Nhu's younger sister sees me as the eldest sister in the family. If I have the chance, I want to come back here and celebrate Tet with my family again.
In the past few days, I have participated in many Tet activities such as decorating the ancestral altar, making traditional green rice cakes, going to the Tet market, setting up the year-end offerings, eating the year-end meal, and traveling with my family.
Ms. Hong said she really likes going to the Tet market because the atmosphere is very vibrant - Photo: NVCC
Trinh Que Nhu (student of Vietnam - Korea Institute of Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology) said that during the process of studying and working with Ms. Hong, Nhu felt like she was her older sister.
"Knowing that you won't be returning to Korea for Tet this year, I invited you to experience the traditional Tet and introduce you to the traditions of your hometown. I told my family a lot about you, so when you returned to your hometown, everyone really liked you.
As a Korean language student, I always actively participate in Korean-Vietnamese cultural exchange activities to learn about the culture of the other country and promote the image of the country, culture and people of Vietnam. I always want to contribute more to building a good friendship between Vietnam and Korea in the future" - Nhu confided.
Teacher Zach Moffatt (language teacher at EMG Education) said this is the second time he celebrates Tet in Vietnam - Photo: NVCC
Help family reunion
Mr. Zach Moffatt - a language teacher at EMG Education, American - said he has lived in Vietnam for more than a year and a half. This is the second time he celebrates the traditional Tet holiday in Vietnam.
"When I was teaching in Vietnam, I often celebrated the Lunar New Year through my work. The schools where I worked would hold events and celebrations. I learned that Lunar New Year is a very important holiday in Vietnam, the longest and most celebrated of the year.
"The interesting thing about Tet is that it helps family members gather and reunite, giving everyone time to rest after a busy working period," shared teacher Zach Moffatt.
Teacher Zach Moffatt said he went for a walk and took pictures of the Tet decorations. "I think if I go back to the US and my friends ask me about the traditional Vietnamese Tet, I will have a lot of positive things to say. For example, it is a time when everything is colorful and lively, which is definitely not found in the place where I was born," said teacher Zach Moffatt.
British man Warren Bisset takes Tet photos with his girlfriend at Independence Palace (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City) - Photo: NVCC
Understanding Vietnamese Tet
Mr. Warren Bisset (British) said he has celebrated the traditional Vietnamese New Year 5 times. Of these, two times were in Phu Quoc and three times were in Ho Chi Minh City.
"I think Tet Nguyen Dan is very special in Vietnam. Vietnamese people celebrate it very solemnly and have specific rituals and customs to prepare for Tet. The importance of Tet is also shown through spending time with family.
In England our New Year is celebrated on 31st December and we all have a party on that day. When the party is over, I always wish it would last longer.
This year I did not decorate for Tet or take many photos. I bought enough food before the supermarkets and shops closed. I found the supermarkets very crowded during this time. I went to a very large market with Vietnamese friends and saw many interesting Tet activities" - Mr. Warren Bisset shared.
Warren Bisset confided: " I really like the traditional Tet holiday and want to share that cultural aspect of the Vietnamese people with my friends. I also have many friends who have lived in Vietnam for a long time, and some of them are married to Vietnamese people. Therefore, we have a very good understanding of Tet."
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nguoi-nuoc-ngoai-don-tet-viet-chi-mot-lan-la-thay-me-20250127153552927.htm
Comment (0)