Warm Vietnamese Tet atmosphere in the Land of the Rising Sun

Due to geographical distance and the demands of work and life, not all Quang Tri workers in Japan have the opportunity to return home for Tet (Lunar New Year). To alleviate their homesickness, during these days, they come together to prepare for themselves and their families, contributing to ensuring everyone has a peaceful and happy traditional Tet celebration.

Young Vietnamese people in Japan gather to celebrate Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Tet, though far away, feels very close.

During the Lunar New Year holidays, the apartment of Truong Quang Tung (born in 1989) and his wife, residing in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is more lively than usual. After work, Tung and his wife, along with their friends, gather to cook and enjoy traditional dishes together, while chatting and reminiscing about past Lunar New Year celebrations.

Upon hearing that Mr. and Mrs. Tung were staying in Japan for Tet (Lunar New Year), many young people from Quang Tri who had been taken in and helped by them during their early days in Japan also visited and sent their best wishes. This seemingly simple gesture became a source of warmth for the couple, helping them to alleviate some of their longing for family and friends back home in Quang Tri.

To date, Mr. Tung has lived and worked in Japan for nearly seven years. During that time, he and his wife have only returned home for Tet (Lunar New Year) twice. However, no matter where they celebrate the New Year, Mr. Tung and his wife always prepare quite meticulously. Especially since their two children were born and are growing up, they pay even more attention to ensuring a complete and fulfilling Tet celebration.

More than anyone else, Mr. and Mrs. Tung want their children to deeply understand the meaning and fully appreciate the flavor of the traditional Lunar New Year. This year, as Tet approaches, they are once again cleaning and decorating their house; preparing ingredients for traditional dishes; and finding someone to write couplets... "I think that Tet is always in our hearts. No matter where we are or what we do, as long as we still think of this meaningful day, think of our homeland... it means Tet is still here," Mr. Tung said thoughtfully.

Mr. and Mrs. Truong Quang Tung pose for a commemorative photo while participating in the "Spring of Love" program held in Japan - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

As a member of the Board of Directors of the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan, Mr. Tung and other members have recently shown great concern for the thoughts and feelings of the members, especially during the Lunar New Year. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 6,000 people from Quang Tri living and working in Japan. The majority of them are young people who have not been in Japan for long.

Therefore, when they see the festive atmosphere of the new year spreading across their homeland through social media, most people living far from home feel a little nostalgic. Understanding this, the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan regularly organizes activities to connect and socialize during the Lunar New Year. They encourage members to visit each other, prepare for, and celebrate the New Year together.

The efforts of the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan have helped fill the void in the hearts of those living far from home. Having celebrated Vietnamese New Year in Japan for four years, Cao Xuan Tho (born in 1998), residing in Osaka, is always grateful for the fortunate circumstances that led him to the association, through which he met and befriended many people from Quang Tri in a foreign land.

From here, he not only alleviated his loneliness but also received care and support. Every Lunar New Year, Thọ and his friends would gather together. Those who had gone before encouraged and guided those who came after. Thọ shared: “Every time Tet comes around, the longing for my loved ones intensifies. Through Zalo and Facebook, seeing the whole family preparing to celebrate the New Year, I feel a little nostalgic. Thanks to the group's activities celebrating Tet and the affection everyone shows each other, my longing for my hometown and family is lessened.”

To make Tet even more loving

In early 2024, a severe earthquake struck Japan, causing significant loss of life and property. Many Vietnamese workers, including those from Quang Tri province, living and working in Japan faced immense difficulties. Driven by a spirit of solidarity, immediately after the earthquake, many members of the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan visited, encouraged, and provided support. As the new year approached, these activities intensified under the motto: "Working together so everyone can celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year)."

The Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan organized a fundraising football tournament to help children in mountainous areas - Photo: Provided by the organizers.

Sharing his thoughts on this, Mr. Tung, a member of the Board of Directors of the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan, said that this is not the first time the people of the region known for its hot winds and white sands have shared and connected with each other. As a beautiful tradition, for many years, whenever they hear of difficulties or hardships faced by people from Quang Tri in Japan, the association members are there to help.

Most recently, a worker from Quang Tri province unfortunately passed away in Japan during the last days of the year. Knowing the difficult circumstances of his family, people collectively contributed funds to bring his remains back home. The remaining money was given to his relatives to help them stabilize their lives. Stories like these further strengthen the sense of camaraderie among fellow countrymen in foreign lands.

Beyond simply living and working in Japan, the majority of people from Quang Tri province still cherish their homeland with all their hearts. Tet (Lunar New Year) is also an opportunity for them to fully express that longing. This is precisely why the Quang Tri Hometown Association in Japan often chooses this time to organize fundraising and charitable activities.

For the past three years, the OPEN CUP spring football tournament has been one of the activities attracting a large number of Quang Tri workers from all over Japan. Besides socializing and competing, many also participate in the tournament to help support disadvantaged people in Quang Tri.

This year, from the 3rd OPEN CUP football tournament celebrating the Lunar New Year, the organizing committee has raised over 84 million VND. The donated funds were transferred to various organizations and businesses before the Lunar New Year of the Dragon 2024 to organize the charitable program "Warm Tet in the Highlands," supporting students at A Doi Primary and Secondary School in Huong Hoa district.

In Japan these days, seeing images of children from mountainous regions receiving meaningful gifts with smiles on their faces, those from Quang Tri living far from home feel as if Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is in their hearts. Everyone feels as if an invisible thread is binding them closer to their homeland, helping them to better understand what is called the love of their homeland and the sense of brotherhood. From this, Quang Tri workers in Japan have even more motivation to enter the new year with more faith and hope.

Tay Long

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/van-hoa/am-tinh-tet-viet-o-dat-nuoc-mat-troi-moc/183517.htm