A chance to share the richness of Vietnamese culture

Duong Tan Khang, a 22-year-old student studying at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, has celebrated Tet in the United States for two years. Despite being the only Vietnamese student on his campus, Khang has found warmth in a vibrant multicultural community that comes together to honor the most important holiday in Vietnam.

Last year, Khang’s preparations for Tet were rushed due to his recent arrival in the US, but this time, he had the opportunity to share the richness of Vietnamese culture with friends from various backgrounds. Therefore, the Lunar New Year celebration between Khang and his friends became a beautiful similarly shared culture of traditions, stories, and culinary delights.

Duong Tan Khang (C) wears ao dai to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his friends from China, France, Malaysia, and the US. (Photo courtesy of Duong Tan Khang).

Khang and his fellow international students not only celebrated Tet but also invited friends unfamiliar with Lunar New Year traditions. “We felt connected despite the language and cultural barriers as we exchanged stories and shared the intricacies of our respective celebrations”, said Khang.

Khang proudly showcased banh chung, describing its significance and preparation, while his Chinese friends introduced him to the art of making pineapple tart - a cherished Chinese delicacy.

Tet is a chance for Khang to share the richness of Vietnamese culture (Photo courtesy of Duong Tan Khang).

For Khang and his friends, their collective celebration during Tet has not only fostered a deeper appreciation for cultural diversity but has also been instrumental in forming lasting connections. This Lunar New Year has been a celebration of traditions and a testament to the strength and richness that diversity brings to their lives.

Having a traditional meal as a Tet celebration

This year, Phung Dieu Huong, 21, an international student in Japan decided to make herself a special Tet celebration. Although her examination happened during Tet, Huong still spent time preparing the traditional meal for the Lunar New Year and took a picture to send to her family in Vietnam.

Huong and her Vietnamese roommates try to make a traditional meal for Tet (Photo courtesy of Phung Dieu Huong).

On the morning of the 29th of the Lunar New Year, Huong woke up to buy chicken and veggies before rushing to the kitchen to cook in time for the offerings. Huong and her roommates visited the Vietnamese market in her city to get banh chung, gio cha, and other delicious foods. The market was packed with other Vietnamese shopping for the Tet holiday. Some traditional foods, such as spring rolls and gio cha, were on display at the market and easy to get.

The banh chung was bought by her flatmate and kept in the fridge for this particular occasion. There were also a few Vietnamese friends of Huong who joined the meal.

Huong hangs out with her Vietnamese classmates to celebrate Tet (Photo courtesy of Phung Dieu Huong).

“This is the second year that I have had my Tet holiday far from home. Next year, I will try to go back to Vietnam to be with my family. The feelings of excitement, warmth, and closeness with loved ones during this time of the year are what I miss most”, shared Huong.

Besides, Huong hangs out with her Vietnamese classmates to celebrate Tet in their own way. Since Lunar New Year's days were just normal days here in Japan, they soon went back to their daily routine.

Finding ways to create a Tet atmosphere

Unable to go back home, Nguyen Thi Lan, 21, who is studying in Russia, decided to make herself a meaningful Tet celebration. She gathered around with other Vietnamese international students in the last days of the year.

In particular, Lan and her close friend in Russia spent time visiting tourist attractions in Moscow - where she is living. It's an opportunity for her to relieve stress after a long year, and start a new year full of joy and excitement. In addition, it is an opportunity for Lan and her Vietnamese friends to have a strong attachment.

Lan spends time visiting tourist attractions in Moscow, Russia (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Thi Lan)

Lan also called home to wish her parents a happy Lunar New Year and good health, as well as to get their support and touching good luck wishes. The most important thing for Lan is to be able to call and talk with her family and friends in Vietnam over the Tet holiday, even if they can only see each other through the phone screen. The feeling of Tet was in the photos and video clips that her friends sent to her.

“I was lucky to have my friends and the Vietnamese community here in Russia to celebrate Tet so that I would not feel alone. However, I still wish to enjoy this special time back in my hometown, with the bustling atmosphere of the Tet holiday”, shared Lan.

Having friends and the Vietnamese community in Russia to celebrate Tet makes Lan not feel alone. (Photo courtesy of Nguyen Thi Lan)

"It lacked the pleasant aura of family, yet it was something I'll never forget. It taught me that no matter how far away you are from home, you don't have to be alone if you remember your family and country in your heart and appreciate how lucky you are", said Lan.