Kim Dung's two children gather around their grandfather to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) for Tet (Lunar New Year) - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.
However, by transforming the journey back to their roots into vivid experiences, many parents have helped their children eagerly anticipate Tet.
From helping grandparents wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), participating in village festivals, or engaging in traditional Tet activities, Tet no longer seems like a monotonous time for children, but rather a source of nurturing family affection, helping them understand and appreciate traditional cultural values more.
Preserving the spirit of Tet in children's childhoods.
Having moved from Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City to start a career in 1999, Kim Dung has maintained an unbroken tradition of returning to her hometown for Tet (Lunar New Year). Since getting married, she and her family have always agreed to alternate: one year she visits her maternal hometown, the next year her paternal hometown.
Each rural area brings unique stories and experiences to her children. In her paternal hometown, her grandparents always look forward to the return of all their children and grandchildren so that the whole family can wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) together, gathering around the fireplace. Dung's two sons are always eager to help their grandparents in the kitchen, wiping leaves, tying strings, and listening to the adults tell stories about banh tet (another type of Vietnamese rice cake).
Back in her maternal hometown, her family maintains the tradition of visiting ancestral graves and, on the morning of the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), they all visit and pay respects to the graves of fallen heroes, helping their children learn gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices of previous generations. These seemingly simple actions help the children better understand the meaning of Tet and the traditional values preserved through generations.
"Every time Tet (Lunar New Year) comes around, my child eagerly looks forward to going back to their hometown. During that time, they almost completely put away their phone and tablet to immerse themselves in the Tet activities in their hometown," Ms. Dung shared.
Similarly, Ms. Pham Thi Hong Ngoc, originally from the former Hai Duong province (now Hai Phong ), said that her family moved from their hometown to Ho Chi Minh City more than 22 years ago. Her child is 8 years old this year and has almost never experienced the Tet atmosphere in their hometown, so this year she decided to bring her child back to their hometown to directly experience the busy days of preparing for the New Year.
During her trip back to her hometown, instead of letting her child be glued to a phone, she planned activities for the child to participate in preparing for Tet, such as cleaning banana leaves, learning to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) with her grandfather, picking vegetables in the garden, gathering around the pot of banh chung, and enjoying roasted sweet potatoes by the fire.
Ms. Ngoc said that when her child heard about these activities, she was very excited and looked forward to the trip back to her hometown, wanting to actively participate in everything from going to the Tet market to visiting relatives. "I hope that every year I will have the opportunity to make Tet in the countryside a memorable childhood memory for my child," Ms. Ngoc shared.
Nurturing our roots
According to Doctor of Philosophy Nguyen Que Dieu, Tet is a traditional cultural feature that has been formed and preserved through many generations; wherever Vietnamese people live, there is Tet. Even far from home, this tradition remains present in every Vietnamese person.
According to Mr. Dieu, Tet in the countryside is about fulfillment in many senses: fulfillment in the reunion of the extended family, fulfillment in memories of the past and present, fulfillment in traditional dishes and cultural activities rooted in our roots.
Bringing children back to their hometowns for Tet (Lunar New Year) first and foremost helps them connect with their roots, the place where their ancestors reside through ancestral worship spaces, family relationships, and the forms of address, hierarchy, and customs of Tet. From there, children gradually understand their roles and responsibilities to their family and lineage, fostering deeper and more lasting emotional bonds.
Furthermore, in today's education , especially when parents don't have much time to educate their children through experiential activities, the opportunity for children to return to their hometowns for Tet (Lunar New Year), participate in tasks such as helping adults clean the ancestral altar, wrapping banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and preparing various dishes, is a very valuable experience.
Through participating in Tet holiday activities, children are given the opportunity to directly ask questions and listen to adults' explanations, making education more natural and effective. By "doing things with their hands, asking questions, and listening to answers," children not only develop work skills and independence but also learn about sharing, cooperation, proper behavior, and etiquette within the family.
"When children see the warmth of family affection during Tet (Lunar New Year) and understand the meaning of Tet, they will certainly feel excited and eager about Tet and long to return to their hometown for the holiday," Mr. Dieu affirmed.
Offering further suggestions for Tet holiday activities, he suggested that to help children stay away from phones and the "virtual world," parents should proactively involve their children in traditional games or organize games associated with their own childhoods.
"At home, parents can encourage children to do crafts, take family photos, assemble puzzles, create bonsai trees, paint, decorate the space for Tet, prepare food, or play traditional games like O An Quan (a Vietnamese board game) or marbles… These simple activities not only create joy but also contribute to nurturing Tet memories and family bonds for children," Mr. Dieu advised.
Bringing Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) back into the home.
According to Dr. Nguyen Que Dieu, parents play the role of a bridge between modern life and the traditions of their homeland.
Even if returning to their hometowns isn't possible, parents can still recreate the traditional Tet atmosphere at home. Following the principle of "even young children can do small tasks," children should be involved in Tet preparations such as cleaning, decorating the house and altar, wrapping and cooking banh chung (traditional rice cakes), or helping adults prepare the Tet meal.
"Furthermore, encouraging children to call and wish their grandparents, relatives on both sides of the family, or to visit relatives nearby is a practical way to nurture etiquette and help prevent traditional Tet values from fading in children's hearts," emphasized Dr. Nguyen Que Dieu.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hao-huc-voi-tet-que-20260209080623477.htm
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