International students celebrate Vietnamese New Year.

Lunar New Year is becoming a familiar cultural gathering point for international students at many universities in Vietnam. Through New Year celebrations organized right in the classrooms, students from many countries have the opportunity to experience customs, exchange cultures, and feel the sense of sharing during the spring season far from home.

In Da Nang , the University of Foreign Languages ​​(Da Nang University) plans to organize the "Tet in me 2026" program on January 30th, for Vietnamese and international students studying at the university.

According to the school, through cultural exchange activities, culinary experiences , folk games, and artistic performances, international students will have the opportunity to learn about Vietnamese Tet customs and practice their Vietnamese language skills in a real-life setting. The school leadership plans to present Tet gifts to students from distant locations and international students participating in the program.

International students experience calligraphy writing during the "Vietnamese Tet for International Students" program at the University of Education (Da Nang University). (Photo: Da Nang City Portal)

Previously, on January 22nd, the University of Education (Da Nang University) organized its annual "Vietnamese Tet for International Students" program, attracting over 350 international students from 26 countries. At the program, international students had the opportunity to directly experience typical aspects of the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday, from calligraphy and making banh chung and banh tet (traditional rice cakes) to enjoying various cakes and jams that embody the springtime flavors of different regions.

Under the guidance of Vietnamese artisans and students, many international students held a brush pen for the first time, learning about the meaning of each stroke as well as the benevolent and humane spirit in Vietnamese culture. The activity of wrapping banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) left a strong impression, as each step was connected to a story of reunion and togetherness - the core value of the traditional Tet holiday.

Celebrating Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in Vietnam for the second time, Phetmeuangneua Thao (a Lao student majoring in Literature Education) expressed her admiration for the activity of making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). Thao said that the cakes are not only beautiful in appearance but also represent the meaning of family bonding in Vietnamese culture. Meanwhile, Joe (a US student majoring in Education and Politics ) said that Vietnamese Tet always brings a feeling of joy, meaning, and warmth. Joe shared his desire to capture these Tet moments to introduce the traditional Vietnamese Tet to his international friends.

On this occasion, the school presented commemorative gifts and lucky money envelopes to international students as a New Year's greeting, demonstrating its care and support for them during their studies and life in Vietnam. Through this, international students not only gained a better understanding of Vietnamese customs, traditions, and cultural life, but also cherished warm memories during their time away from home.

Many other universities across the country also organized Tet celebrations for international students. On January 27th, Vietnam Maritime University (Hai Phong) organized the "Sharing Tet - Loving Spring" program, awarding 144 Tet gifts to 24 international students and 120 students from disadvantaged backgrounds with good academic results, totaling 102 million VND from social contributions. Each gift not only had material value but also demonstrated the university's care and sharing during the traditional Tet holiday.

International students at Ton Duc Thang University learn how to wrap banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes). (Photo: Ton Duc Thang University)

At Ton Duc Thang University (Ho Chi Minh City), a cultural exchange day celebrating the Lunar New Year for international students was also held in a lively atmosphere. International students from many countries such as Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and the Philippines participated in cultural exhibition booths, folk games, experienced Vietnamese coffee brewing, made banh chung and banh tet (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and received meaningful Tet gifts from the university.

The festival not only helps international students better understand Vietnamese culture and traditions, but also creates a space for meeting, interacting, and fostering solidarity and friendship among students from different countries.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/sinh-vien-quoc-te-don-tet-viet-219302.html