Preserving the spirit of Vietnamese Tet in a foreign land.

For those living far from home, Tet is not simply a holiday marking the transition of seasons, but also the heartbeat of memories, of homeland, of family. It is an invisible thread connecting them to the S-shaped land of Vietnam, where their ancestors and grandparents reside, where the sound of firecrackers from years past resonates, and where the scent of incense lingers.

The Vietnamese community in Nice, France, celebrates Tet (Lunar New Year). Photo: UBNV.

In France, Germany, Australia, or the United States, while the streets bustle with the rhythm of Western life, Vietnamese people quietly prepare for their own unique Tet (Lunar New Year). Without the peach blossoms of the North or the vibrant yellow apricot blossoms of the South, they seek out Asian markets and Vietnamese grocery stores to buy banana leaves, sticky rice, mung beans, and pork belly. Sometimes they have to order months in advance, and sometimes they drive hundreds of kilometers just to find all the ingredients for making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). In their small kitchens in foreign lands, as the pot of banh chung begins to simmer and steam rises, a corner of their homeland seems to be recreated.

Ms. Hoang Kim, a Vietnamese expatriate in France, said: “The place where I live doesn't have the atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese New Year), but as long as Tet is still in my heart, my homeland is always very close. Being far from home, Tet doesn't disappear; it's just wrapped up in nostalgia. I started wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) very early because I was so excited to see families preparing for Tet. Here, I couldn't find dong leaves, so I had to use banana leaves, which required patience. There's also no large yard or wood-burning stove, just a small corner. But none of that deterred me. Looking at the banh chung, I suddenly realized that I wasn't just wrapping cakes, but also wrapping up my longing for home. The cakes might not be perfectly square, the strings might not be tightly tied, but within each cake is Tet, family, and a child far from home always yearning for home. Even far away, Tet is never lost; as long as we cherish the old traditions, always remember our roots, and preserve traditional values, our homeland will always be here.”

Ms. Hoang Kim wore an ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and a conical hat, and displayed the national flag on the balcony of her home on the island of Corsica (France) during the Lunar New Year celebration. Photo: Provided by the subject.

In foreign lands, many Vietnamese families still maintain the tradition of staying up late together to make bánh chưng (Vietnamese rice cakes), even though they have to go to work the next morning. They take advantage of the weekends leading up to Tet (Vietnamese New Year) to gather with friends, wrap bánh chưng together, and share stories about their homeland. Children born abroad, who don't yet speak Vietnamese fluently, are taught by their parents how to arrange the leaves, measure the rice, and spread the beans. Through each layer of green leaves, love for their homeland is wrapped up and passed on.

Ms. Thao Ledbetter, a Vietnamese expatriate in the US, shared: "In the days leading up to Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), I and some close friends gathered to make banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). The atmosphere was truly joyful and warm. Here, we are fortunate to find all the necessary ingredients at Vietnamese markets, from banana leaves and sticky rice to mung beans and pork belly… Thanks to this, we were able to almost perfectly recreate the flavors of Tet back home. Especially, even though my husband is American, he was very excited about this experience. He not only learned how to make traditional banh chung but also tried to 'create' an American-style version with smoked bacon filling. Although it was an interesting variation, the most important thing was the joy of preserving and sharing Vietnamese culture together. My child was even more enthusiastic. She attends a bilingual English-Vietnamese school, so she is very familiar with traditional customs, including Tet. This time, the school also organized a spring festival for students to participate in." "Helping children understand more about their roots and national culture."

According to Ms. Thao, celebrating Tet (Vietnamese New Year) abroad may not be as complete as in her homeland, but it holds a very special meaning. It represents the bond between Vietnamese people living overseas, the pride in preserving traditional values, and a way to pass on love for her homeland to future generations.

Ms. Thao Ledbetter and her husband are making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Not only are sticky rice cakes, the New Year's Eve dinner, and the offerings for the ancestors meticulously prepared, but in this small apartment in the modern city, a clean altar is also set up. A plate of sticky rice, a chicken, a bowl of bamboo shoot soup, a plate of pork sausage… may not be as abundant as back home, but everything is prepared with heartfelt devotion. At the exact moment of midnight according to Vietnamese time – even if it's still afternoon or midnight there – they light incense sticks, clasp their hands, and offer prayers. They not only pray for a peaceful new year, but also send their longing and affection to their homeland, half a world away.

Mr. Do Trung Hien, a Vietnamese expatriate living in Canada, shared that his family did not return to their homeland for Tet (Lunar New Year) this year. However, he still felt fortunate that his wife came from Vietnam bringing dried bamboo shoots, banh chung (traditional rice cakes), meatballs, and pork sausage. For many people in Vietnam, these are just familiar dishes during Tet, but for Mr. Hien, they are incredibly precious because they encapsulate the flavors and vibrant atmosphere of spring in his hometown.

“On the traditional Lunar New Year, we still prepare a farewell meal, arrange a tray of five fruits, and light incense to remember our ancestors. However, in a foreign land, not everything is as complete as it is back home. Our tray of five fruits isn't as beautiful and complete as in Vietnam. This is because bananas here aren't sold by the bunch but individually, priced by weight, and there are no kumquats. Even so, what makes me happiest and proudest is that we still preserve the traditional customs of our nation,” Mr. Hien said.

The family of Mr. Do Trung Hien (second from the left) prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year of the Horse. Photo: Provided by the subject.

In many places, Vietnamese communities organize Tet fairs, cultural performances, and traditional cake-making activities. Adults wear traditional ao dai (Vietnamese long dress), and children eagerly receive lucky money. The shouts of "Happy New Year" echo in foreign lands, affirming that no matter where they are, Vietnamese people always remember their roots. These activities not only help alleviate homesickness but also allow younger generations to understand ancestral customs and why their parents cherished Tet so much.

There are families who cannot return to Vietnam for many years due to work or economic circumstances. Tet (Lunar New Year) in a foreign land is also an opportunity for many to reflect on their journey of making a living. They have gone through the initial days of bewilderment, difficulties with language and work, and moments of loneliness amidst strangers. But it is the longing for home that has become the motivation for them to persevere. Especially for international students, their first Tet away from home is often a great challenge. Many young people gather together, making spring rolls and boiling chicken, even if it's just in a shared kitchen in a dormitory or rented room, they still try to create a warm atmosphere. Tet becomes a source of spiritual support, helping them to be more steadfast on their journey of studying and building their careers.

Nguyen Cao Khanh Linh, a student studying in India, said this is her first Tet (Lunar New Year) away from her family. Seeing families in Vietnam preparing for Tet, she feels a deep longing for home, for the family meals, and for the moments spent together. Even though she tries to adapt to her new life far away, her heart always yearns for her homeland, where her loved ones are waiting for her. This first Tet away from home not only brings with it feelings of homesickness but also marks a milestone in her growth, teaching her to be stronger and to cherish the word "family" even more...

Nguyen Cao Khanh Linh (second from the right) and other Vietnamese students studying in India held a year-end party with some traditional dishes such as spring rolls, banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake), and boiled chicken. Photo: Provided by the subject.

Preserving traditional customs in a foreign land is not easy. The busy pace of life, cultural differences, and scarcity of ingredients all present challenges. But it is precisely in these difficulties that the value of tradition is cherished even more. Each homemade sticky rice cake, each incense stick lit on New Year's Eve, each vibrant red envelope of lucky money carries a deeper meaning. It is proof of enduring love for one's homeland and the desire to preserve identity amidst the flow of integration. Being far from home does not mean being far from one's roots. On the contrary, geographical distance makes that love even deeper.

Here are some photos of Vietnamese people celebrating Lunar New Year around the world :

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/giu-hon-tet-viet-noi-dat-khach-733711.html