Every Lunar New Year, Vietnamese people repeat the folk saying, "On the first day of Tet, visit your father; on the second day, visit your mother; on the third day, visit your teacher," as a way of expressing the tradition of "remembering the source of one's blessings" and "respecting one's teachers."
Bat Xat is one of the poorest communes in Lao Cai province, where living conditions are still very difficult. Here, the majority of students are from the Mong ethnic group, and their journey to school is extremely arduous, requiring them to trek through forests and cross streams from dawn. The story of teachers nurturing dreams is also fraught with difficulties as they face inadequate teaching conditions and students skipping class to go to the fields.
Nevertheless, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, a teacher at Pa Cheo Ethnic Minority Boarding Junior High School (Lao Cai), remains dedicated to this land, diligently sowing the seeds of knowledge for many generations of students. Ms. Thuy's steadfastness stems from her love for her profession, nurtured by the love of the children and the people of this place.
Mentioning the saying "on the third day of Tet, we visit our teachers," the female teacher couldn't help but be moved by the sincere and simple affection of her students. Despite the difficult economic conditions, the students still bring their heartfelt feelings to their teachers. These include lovely wishes and simple gifts such as bundles of fresh green banana leaves, branches of wild peach blossoms full of buds, or fragrant and chewy sticky rice cakes.
In the chilly weather, the children's joyful laughter, the flickering fire from the pot of sticky rice cakes, and the delicate pink of peach blossoms blend together to create a peaceful and warm Tet atmosphere in the highlands. This beauty helps teachers forget their difficulties and fatigue, and encourages them to persevere in sowing the seeds of literacy.
"Despite the many hardships, I am determined to stay and contribute to this land and this school. Seeing my students grow and mature fills me with immense pride. That is what motivates me to continue staying and dedicating myself," Ms. Thuy confided.
The third day of the Lunar New Year has long been a tradition to express gratitude to teachers – the dedicated guides who have nurtured countless generations of students. In the vibrant atmosphere of spring, the wishes sent to teachers are filled with heartfelt gratitude and sincere affection.
Having been a student herself and now a teacher, Ms. Dang Thi Lan Anh – a teacher at Wellspring Hanoi International Bilingual School ( Hanoi ) – clearly feels the strong connection between teachers and students across generations. The New Year's greetings not only bring joy but also motivate young teachers to continue dedicating themselves to imparting knowledge and love to future generations of students.
“I remember my school days, when I eagerly went with my friends to wish our teachers a Happy New Year. Those were early mornings, when the weather was still a little chilly, and the whole group would bring a small bouquet of flowers and some sweets. We excitedly entered our teachers' homes, nervously waiting to offer our best wishes.”
"At that time, our joy was simply seeing our teachers' smiles, listening to their kind advice, and reminiscing about cherished memories under the school roof," Ms. Lan Anh recalled.
Now that she stands on the podium as a teacher, Ms. Lan Anh deeply understands the meaning of the third day of Tet (Lunar New Year) dedicated to visiting teachers. Seeing her students eagerly coming to visit, the young teacher sees her younger self reflected in their innocent eyes and radiant smiles.
Having dedicated over 20 years to teaching, Ms. Do Thi Thu Nga, a teacher at Thang 10 High School (Tuyen Quang), always looks forward to Teachers' Day because it's an opportunity for her to reconnect with former students and witness their growth and maturity.
"The third day of Tet (Lunar New Year) is when many of my students come to my house to visit. For the students, this is an opportunity to visit, send their teacher New Year's greetings, and also to reminisce about many memories."
"For me, Teachers' Day is an opportunity to see the growth and maturity of each of my former students. This is perhaps one of the happiest things for a teacher," Ms. Nga confided.
On the third day of the Lunar New Year, when teachers and students meet, it's an opportunity to share stories. Teachers, in their role as mentors, offer valuable experiences and advice to their students. Sometimes, that advice can change the lives of the children.
"One evening on the third day of Tet many years ago, a student from my 12th-grade class asked to come to my house to visit and wish me a Happy New Year. After exchanging greetings, she suddenly burst into tears and said she would quit school after Tet to go to work and help her family."
"At that time, I confided in and gave advice to my student. In the end, he decided to finish high school, then joined the police force, and now he's married, has children, and still comes to visit me. So, Tet (Lunar New Year) is an opportunity to meet, share, and connect," Ms. Nga recalled.
According to folk tradition, "the third day of Tet is dedicated to honoring teachers" as a reminder of the tradition of "respecting teachers and valuing education," paying tribute to the teachers who have imparted knowledge and skills to their students, enabling them to achieve success, talent, and become well-rounded individuals.
According to Professor Pham Tat Dong, former Deputy Head of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee for Science and Education, this statement places teachers on par with parents – those who have given birth and nurtured us – affirming the crucial role teachers play in the growth and development of each individual.
The Tet holiday, celebrated at the beginning of the new year, also shows a difference from Vietnamese Teachers' Day on November 20th. Amidst the festive atmosphere of Tet, it's a time dedicated to special loved ones, those who have had a significant influence on us. New Year's greetings are also prayers for loved ones to have a peaceful and prosperous year.
Amidst the rapid development of society, the tradition of "respecting teachers and valuing education," as expressed during Teacher's Day, has also changed to adapt to the times. Nowadays, it is not necessary to visit teachers on the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year; visits on the 4th or 5th are also acceptable, depending on both parties' schedules.
"With the development of social media, students and teachers can communicate through messages, comments on posts, or a friendly phone call. Respecting teachers is not about extravagant things or valuable possessions, but about the feelings exchanged," emphasized Professor Pham Tat Dong.
Laodong.vn
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