Overseas Vietnamese "pack up" for Tet holiday

Mr. Lai Minh Huy (Canada)

Currently living and working in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Huy said that after 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic with many restrictions, many Vietnamese people in the area are eagerly looking forward to this year's Lunar New Year festival events.

However, due to economic stagnation and inflation, Vietnamese people in Canada prioritize buying necessities and limit buying new furniture during the 2023 Lunar New Year.

A corner selling decorations at a supermarket in Canada. Photo: MINH HUY

According to Mr. Huy, food prices have increased slightly, about 10-15% depending on the item because of the high fluctuation in gasoline prices. For example, chili sauce, which was only 5 CAD/bottle before, has now increased to 7 CAD/bottle.

Mr. Huy said that the increase in gasoline prices has caused everything to increase, so it has affected travel activities to some extent. Meanwhile, the increase in gas, electricity and water prices is not significant and is still within acceptable levels. After peak hours - usually 6 p.m. - electricity bills are reduced, so many people take advantage of the time to do laundry and cook.

Most Vietnamese people plan to buy ready-made food to save time because during Tet holiday here people still have to go to work as usual.

Mr. Huy also bought cakes, jams, fruits, decorated the house and planned to have a traditional meal with friends during the Lunar New Year away from home.

Tet product sales corner at a supermarket in Canada. Photo: MINH HUY

Mr. Huy said he will have a traditional meal with friends during the Lunar New Year away from home. Photo: Character provided

Mr. Nguyen Dat (Japan)

Living and working in Tokyo, Japan for 9 years, Mr. Dat said that the prices of many goods in Japan have increased, so all eating, shopping, and entertainment activities must be carefully measured and are no longer as comfortable as before.

According to Mr. Dat, nearly 200 food items have increased in price, inflation everywhere makes many shoppers "unable to believe their eyes" every time they look at the prices.

Mr. Nguyen Dat took a photo at Gotoku-ji Temple, also known as the "cat temple". Photo: Provided by the character

Photo: Character provided

Prices have skyrocketed in the past 40 years, especially with the sharp depreciation of the yen against the dollar, so the amount of money Mr. Dat sends home has also decreased sharply. Although salaries have increased, prices have also increased, forcing people to consider their spending during the New Year.

Mr. Dat said that supermarkets selling frozen goods in Japan and low-cost supermarkets, which are usually crowded with Vietnamese workers, have become very crowded with local customers after the COVID-19 pandemic.

All travel in Japan is no longer restricted, so despite economic difficulties, people still enjoy going out after more than 2 years of being "locked down" due to COVID-19. Many Vietnamese people in Japan participate in Tet events and festivals that were interrupted during the pandemic years.

This year, Mr. Dat plans to participate in Tet festivals and have traditional meals with family and friends in Japan.

Prices of many items skyrocketed. Photo: Character provided

Mr. Dat buys candy and decorations for Tet 2023. Photo: Character provided

TV news about rising prices in Japan. Photo: Character provided

Ms. Thao Tran (USA)

Also feeling the effects of inflation, Ms. Thao Tran, owner of an insurance office in Houston, Texas, USA, said that the prices of goods have skyrocketed, for example, instant noodles used to cost about 12 USD/box but now cost more than 19 USD/box. Many items have increased in price by 100%.

After 2 years of the pandemic, Vietnamese people in the Houston area want to enjoy the traditional Tet atmosphere, so despite inflation, people still "pack up" to have a full Tet in a faraway land.

People still shop for clothes, buy ao dai to go to pagodas, churches and take Tet photos. Many Vietnamese have taken orders to make Chung cakes, Tet cakes, candies and jams for Tet. Many Vietnamese people go to Tet markets to line up to buy Chung cakes, flowers and food despite the high prices.

This year, Ms. Thao's company is sponsoring Tet programs in the Vietnamese community in Houston. Photo: Provided by the character

Many beverage shops also set up special decoration areas to attract people to take pictures. Businesses prepare special lion dance performances to celebrate the New Year.

American shopping malls are also decorated with the theme of the Lunar New Year of the Asian people. This year, Ms. Thao's company is sponsoring Tet programs in the Vietnamese community in Houston, contributing to connecting and sharing joy with Vietnamese people in the area.

Ms. Anh Thy (Australia)

Meanwhile, Ms. Anh Thy, who lives in Western Australia, Australia, said that food prices increased last month due to the peak season before the New Year but have decreased again in recent weeks. Ms. Thy said that Vietnamese people in her area buy food, cakes, jams, and fruits in advance for the Lunar New Year because in Australia, people still go to work as usual during these days.

Many festivals take place in states across Australia. Photo: Nicole Cleary

Excited after two years of the pandemic, Vietnamese people in Western Australia are spending a lot of money on Tet shopping and enjoying traditional festivals. Many entertainment activities have also resumed.

According to Ms. Thy, electricity and gas prices are expected to increase by 35% in 2023. Gasoline prices have also stabilized recently, increasing by more than 2 AUD/liter last month and now remaining at around 1.85 AUD/liter, so travel and entertainment activities during the Lunar New Year are not affected by inflation.

Dragon Boat Festival in Docklands City - Australia. Photo: Dragon Boat Victoria

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su-quoc-te/nguoi-viet-o-nuoc-ngoai-goi-ghem-tet-xa-20230117213233677.htm