What do students think about Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year)?

TPO - For some, Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) may no longer be so special because connecting with family has become easier these days thanks to technology. But for many students studying far from home, the Vietnamese Tet is always a special, warm, and meaningful time.

TPO - For some, Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) may no longer be so special because connecting with family has become easier these days thanks to technology. But for many students studying far from home, the Vietnamese Tet is always a special, warm, and meaningful time.

Duc Vinh, a 5th-year medical student at Hanoi Medical University. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Duc Vinh, a 5th-year medical student at Hanoi Medical University: Making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) is my favorite thing about Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

For me, Vietnamese Tet (Lunar New Year) is always a special, warm, and meaningful time. In the days leading up to Tet, my family and I usually prepare many things together, from cleaning and decorating the house to making banh chung (traditional rice cakes). Making banh chung is my favorite part of Tet. It's not just a chore, but also a moment of togetherness. Everyone in the family lends a hand: some cut the banana leaves, some prepare the sticky rice and meat, some wrap the cakes, and some tie the strings. While doing so, everyone chats and shares memories, both happy and sad, from the past year. This creates a very close and warm atmosphere, making me always feel excited when Tet comes around.

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, my family always prepares a traditional meal to offer to our ancestors, expressing our respect for our origins. Afterwards, the whole family visits relatives and neighbors, exchanging New Year greetings and good wishes for the new year. For some people, Tet may no longer be so special because connecting with family has become easier these days thanks to technology. For example, my family and I often video call when I'm far from home, so I don't feel too distant.

But even with technology, the experience of sitting together in person, sharing a New Year's Eve meal, or wrapping banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) is irreplaceable. Above all, for those of us who live far from home, like me, Tet is a holiday where we can spend a long time returning to our hometowns.

Nguyen Van Vu (in the blue shirt). Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Nguyen Van Vu – Master of Han Nom Studies: Tet is a time for reunion and joyful gatherings with family.

"The first day of Tet is for visiting father, the second day for visiting mother, and the third day for visiting teacher" is a familiar Vietnamese proverb. Nowadays, with societal development and busy lives, many people find Tet becoming less meaningful.

"Tet is a time for reunion and joy with family and friends. Tet is a time to express gratitude to grandparents, parents, and teachers. Tet is a time to pray for good fortune; people make plans to visit the Temple of Literature, Ngoc Son Temple, and other places of worship dedicated to scholars and intellectuals to pray for academic success, career advancement, and hope for a prosperous new year."

"Traveling and experiencing Tet (Lunar New Year) instead of returning home means that the tradition of celebrating Tet with teachers has become outdated in the eyes of young people. However, for university students, returning home for Tet for the first time in their first year becomes an opportunity to reunite with their teachers and friends," Vu shared.

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/sinh-vien-nghi-gi-ve-tet-viet-post1713140.tpo