'I miss home so much, but I have to be strong'

Striker Huynh Nhu will have another year to celebrate Tet away from home. In 2022, she and her teammates ate banh chung in... India while competing in the Asian Cup for women's football. 1 year later, she still celebrates Tet abroad, but this time, Huynh Nhu is no longer surrounded by teammates, but instead is spending Tet "alone" with Lank FC in Portugal.

This year, Huynh Nhu celebrates Tet alone. But sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, the 32-year-old striker is no longer sad, because she still has her family by her side to support and encourage her to pursue her dreams and ambitions.

Huynh Nhu celebrates a goal in Lank FC jersey

This year is the second year Huynh Nhu celebrates Tet in Portugal...

Tet is the time we spend with our families, enjoying the year-end meal together, talking about the past year. For me, Tet is family, the moments I get to spend with my parents, and resting and "recharging" my energy after a period of competition.

But this year is another Tet, I compete far from home. The closer it gets to Tet, seeing friends taking pictures of their reunion, seeing parents busy cleaning and decorating the house, I miss home a lot. But I have made the choice, so I have to try and be strong.

When I decided to play in Portugal, I anticipated that I would have to be away from my family all year round, and celebrate the New Year thousands of kilometers away from home. I will focus and do my best for Lank FC, because the club is also facing difficulties.

To ease my homesickness, I called my family after every practice. My parents asked me how I was, so I promised to come back next Tet.

Where I live, the atmosphere is still the same because there are not many Vietnamese people living here. However, thinking about it, maybe that is a good thing, because I can forget about my homesickness and feel at ease to practice and compete.

Huynh Nhu has a second season playing for Lank FC

The striker born in 1991 is always optimistic and tries hard.

At the end of the year, how does Huynh Nhu prepare for her own Tet?

I don't have many Vietnamese friends here, so I don't prepare too much. I still focus on training, competing, trying hard to get a starting position and prove my ability more.

As for Tet, I will probably buy some fruit to burn incense on the day. According to the schedule, I have to compete on New Year's Eve, so I don't know if I will have time to celebrate Tet. But it's okay, Tet is always in my heart, so there's no need to prepare or think too much. I always reserve a special place for my homeland in my heart.

Did your parents give you any advice or send you a little "Tet atmosphere" from afar?

I often call my family, and after finishing work at the club, I call them. Seeing my parents preparing to buy things for Tet, I miss them a lot. In previous years, my parents always waited for me to come home so that the whole family could go shopping together, go to the market to choose things for Tet. This is the third year I haven't been able to do this, so I miss them a lot.

Recently, many people say Huynh Nhu is an "ambassador" of Vietnamese culture, as she always brings Vietnamese costumes and customs to introduce to international friends. Huynh Nhu loves Vietnamese culture and wants to spread those values?

Certainly, the feeling when I wore a scarf to the airport to go to the World Cup or wore the Ao Dai, then introduced my teammates at Lank FC to better understand Vietnamese culture, I was very happy and proud. Not only me, but I met any Vietnamese living abroad, I also saw that they wanted to spread Vietnamese culture to international friends. I am happy with that.

The occasion of Tet is the time when I feel more proud of my hometown culture. Wherever I go, I want to spread the message so that people can understand more about the good traditions and customs of my hometown.

Huynh Nhu always proudly appears with conical hat and scarf whether attending the 2023 World Cup or when at Lank FC

After more than a year in Portugal, has Huynh Nhu gotten used to the pace of life here? What is a day like for Nhu?

I got used to life in Portugal, both on and off the pitch. Once I got into the rhythm, I felt more comfortable, then I could really play and contribute. I also followed a strict schedule for living and training.

In addition, I also got to know many Portuguese people. They were all close, friendly and very supportive, helping me find a second home. For me, the experiences I have had, whether happy or difficult, all have their own value.

Getting used to Lank FC's playing style compared to integrating into life in Portugal, what made it more difficult for Huynh Nhu?

The first time I came to Portugal was a very difficult time for me, in every way. What others see is only a part, there are also difficulties inside, it happens every day and every hour that I can't explain. But having accepted the challenge, no matter what, I have to persevere and not give up.

After a period of learning, socializing and adapting, with the help of the club, friends and encouragement from my family, now I find everything easier.

Huynh Nhu built a big house and gave a car to make traveling easier for her parents.

Is Huynh Nhu satisfied with her current performance?

Lank FC and I are having a very difficult season, with unsatisfactory results. I have to work harder, put in more effort on the training ground and on the field.

This year, because the team has changed almost completely, the team had to experiment a lot in the beginning. Most of the new players are still very young and inexperienced, so the team encountered many difficulties. Hopefully, in the second round, the team will improve.

The whole team is working together to overcome this difficulty. We have to accept that things cannot always go our way. Since I decided to pursue a career in professional football, I have never been afraid to go against the wind. A kite must be full of wind to fly high, I always keep that in mind.

Does Huynh Nhu have any plans after this season ends, to return home or continue the adventure here?

I haven't thought much about this yet. For Nhu, the most meaningful moment is the present, so I will live and devote myself fully to the present. I will play for Lank FC until the end of the season, then go home to rest, to the kitchen, to the warm meal my parents are waiting for. Eat well... and then we will figure out the next steps.

Thanks Huynh Nhu for the chat!

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/them-mot-cai-tet-xa-que-cua-huynh-nhu-nho-nha-lam-nhung-phai-kien-cuong-len-185240207204253123.htm