A celebration for the longevity of elderly residents of Hung Thong neighborhood, Sam Son ward.
Dressed in a vibrant red silk robe and wearing a traditional red headscarf, the old woman sat among her grandchildren on her familiar wooden bed. Her back was bent with age, her figure small, her hands thin and weathered, yet her eyes were still bright, her voice sharp. She remembered each of her children and grandchildren clearly, calling them by name and asking about them as if they were still young. Her toothless smile filled the house with warmth. Everyone said that at her age, she was still so sharp and alert, a great blessing for the family.
Grandma Là was not only a respected elder of the family but also the mother of a fallen soldier. Through loss and hardship, she quietly raised her children, preserved family traditions, and taught her grandchildren to live with loyalty and devotion.
This year, due to her advanced age and frail health, she was unable to attend the village cultural center's annual birthday celebration. Understanding this, representatives from the Fatherland Front Committee of the commune, the Elderly Association, the Women's Association, and the Veterans Association visited her home to present a congratulatory card from the President of Vietnam . The dignified red card, bearing wishes for her 100th birthday and accompanied by a gift, reflects the profound care and concern of the Party and the State for the elderly. She cherished the card, her hands trembling, but her eyes shone with joy.
Surrounded by her children and grandchildren and receiving the care of her neighbors, the elderly woman emotionally shared that what made her happiest wasn't the material gifts, but the joyful reunion. "All my children and grandchildren who live far away have come home, and that's all I need," she said with a gentle smile.
This spring, the joy of old age for Mr. Nguyen Van On in Hung Thong residential area, Sam Son ward, was multiplied many times over as he turned 80 years old. On the morning of the 4th day of Tet (Lunar New Year), at the community center, the Sam Son Ward Senior Citizens Association held a collective birthday celebration for the elderly. The hall was filled with laughter, vibrant flowers, and a large gathering of children, grandchildren, and neighbors who came to share in the joy.
Dressed in formal attire, Mr. On stepped forward to receive his birthday certificate and gifts amidst applause. Despite his white hair and slow gait, he remained sharp-minded, with kind eyes and a warm smile. Receiving well wishes from representatives of the government, various organizations, and villagers, he could not hide his emotion.
She shared: "Having a birthday celebration at the cultural center like this is so much fun. Children and grandchildren have the opportunity to show their filial piety, and we feel cared for and appreciated. This is a source of encouragement for the elderly to live happily, healthily, and usefully for their families and society."
Longevity celebrations have long been a beautiful and humane cultural tradition in Vietnamese life. It's not just a ritual, but also a profound expression of respect and filial piety from children and grandchildren towards their grandparents and parents. In the midst of modern life's many changes, this custom has been preserved and passed down through generations, becoming an indispensable part of every Lunar New Year celebration.
In folk belief, "longevity brings blessings," so wishing someone a long life at the beginning of the year is both a wish for good fortune and an expression of the age-old principle of "respecting the elderly and valuing longevity." The way longevity celebrations are organized varies from place to place. Some families choose a cozy celebration at home with a family meal, with children and grandchildren gathered around their grandparents. Other localities hold larger celebrations at the village or commune cultural center; the elderly, dressed in traditional attire, solemnly receive their longevity certificates from the government and the senior citizens' association, witnessed and congratulated by the community. Regardless of the scale, the most important thing remains the full presence of children and grandchildren and sincere respect. Because celebrating longevity is not just about reminding people that the elderly are the roots of the family, the living memory of the homeland, and the guardians and transmitters of traditional values.
Besides its traditional cultural significance, the celebration of longevity for the elderly clearly demonstrates the concern and gratitude of the Party, the State, and all levels of government towards the older generation. This is a policy deeply humane, affirming the role and status of the elderly in social life. According to data from the Department of Health , during the Lunar New Year of the Horse in 2026, the entire province had 69,792 elderly people eligible for longevity celebrations. Of these, 4,735 were 90 years old and 749 were 100 years old, and these celebrations were organized according to regulations.
Text and photos: Tran Hang
Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/net-xuan-trong-le-mung-tho-279427.htm
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