1. In the memories of many generations of Vietnamese people, Tet (Lunar New Year) is a journey home. It's the New Year's Eve dinner, the smell of kitchen smoke, the joyful laughter of family members after a year of working far away. Therefore, for many, not returning home for Tet was once considered "incomplete."
However, in contemporary life, with the increasingly fast pace of urban life, the way young people perceive and celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) has become more diverse. Some young people believe that family is about connection and care throughout all four seasons, not just the first few days of the year. For them, Tet is a time for rest and self-care after a long year of work. Some choose a "healing" trip to find mental balance. Others, having just graduated and started their careers, see Tet as a time to work extra hours to accumulate funds and experience for the new year. And there are those who, after many years of wandering, no longer young but not yet old, deeply understand a simple truth: "Tet is home." These different experiences show that Tet has not disappeared, but is being viewed in many new ways. Some values are immutable, but when placed in different circumstances and at different times, they are expressed in different ways.
From a socio-cultural perspective, Dr. Bui Viet Thanh, lecturer in the Department of Cultural Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, believes that the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year is closely associated with family gatherings around the dinner table, especially on the afternoon of the 30th of the lunar month. This is a deeply ingrained tradition, so even in difficult circumstances, many people still try to arrange their schedules to return home, so as not to feel "lost during Tet."
2. However, modern social life has undergone many changes. Geographical distance is no longer as significant a barrier as before, with the rapid development of transportation and information technology. Connecting and reminiscing among family members no longer depends entirely on the few days of Tet (Lunar New Year), but happens regularly through social media platforms.
Dr. Bui Viet Thanh observed that today's youth, especially young urban dwellers, tend to make rational choices. Those with stable finances and jobs often spend Tet (Lunar New Year) traveling and resting after a year of hard work. Those who are less fortunate take advantage of opportunities to work extra hours or seek seasonal jobs to save up for the new year. Regardless of their choice, connections with family are maintained through modern communication channels. "Young people don't avoid the traditional Tet holiday; they arrange things so they can both rest and meet their personal needs. Some years they travel, some years they stay home to celebrate Tet with their families. That's perfectly normal."
From a social perspective, young people traveling or working part-time during Tet (Lunar New Year) does not disrupt family relationships or diminish the value of traditional Tet. On the contrary, these experiences can help them better understand their responsibilities to their families and society. According to Dr. Bui Viet Thanh, young people should be encouraged to go out and experience life firsthand, "to see, touch, smell, and hear," thereby adjusting and maturing. The connection with tradition can still be maintained in many forms, whether directly or through social media, and all are valuable.
On a deeper level, Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is not just about geographical location – city or countryside – but about a state of mind. It's about the feeling of returning home, resting, being loved, and sharing. As society evolves, Tet also adapts accordingly. The important thing is not to impose or judge the choices of young people, but to build trust and support from family and community. Because after all, whether Tet is in the city or in the countryside, it remains a warm home – where traditional values are preserved, continued, and spread in the way of each generation.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hanh-trinh-sum-vay-cua-nguoi-tre-post835129.html
