Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many overseas Vietnamese are unable to return home this year to celebrate the Lunar New Year, known locally as Tet, meaning that many are in the process of preparing for a traditional Tet abroad.

In Austria, Vietnamese expatriates gather together as they gear up for a traditional Tet.

Many are eager to wear Ao Dai, a traditional long dress, and make banh chung, a typical square glutinous rice cake, so they can enjoy festive delicacies together over Tet.

Wrapping banh chung has been a tradition among Vietnamese people for many generations as they can be used to make offerings for the ancestors over the holiday period.

In Israel, the complicated situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic means that overseas Vietnamese are not able to return home. Vietnamese expats such as Shurany Hong prepare traditional food in order to enjoy a festive Tet atmosphere, while reminding her children about Tet back home.

She also purchases flowers in order to decorate her house to mark the arrival of the festive period.

Vietnamese expats in Australia join a gathering as part of their Tet celebrations.

Harry Tran, an overseas Vietnamese in Australia, says that he decorates a corner of his home to feature the traditional culture of Vietnamese Tet. This ultimately helps him to reduce his feelings of nostalgia.

Linda Bao, a Vietnamese expat based in Singapore, decorates her home with peach trees in the buildup to Tet.

She also prepares traditional Vietnamese food to enjoy.

She shares that her children are very fond of wearing Ao Dai, a Vietnamese traditional long dress, and also to receive Li Xi, lucky money, during Tet.