Lunar New Year and the lasting values ​​of Vietnamese families

(VTE) - Every Lunar New Year is a "golden opportunity" to affirm family values ​​and preserve national cultural identity.

Vietnamese people thrive in the era of globalization.

For generations, Lunar New Year has been the biggest festival of the Vietnamese people (Photo: Tran Hanh).

Globalization has opened up opportunities for Vietnamese people to access the wider world . Driven by a thirst for knowledge, many Vietnamese have migrated to continents such as the Americas, Europe, and Australia to study and work. Currently, more than 5 million Vietnamese people are living and working in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world.

Global connectivity through technology and the Internet has enabled Vietnamese people to quickly access new knowledge and cultural values. A generation of Vietnamese "global citizens" has emerged.

Many Vietnamese children are born abroad, speak multiple languages ​​fluently, and are deeply integrated into the international environment. They not only accumulate knowledge and skills but also contribute to enriching their country through the fruits of their labor and education in foreign lands.

Wherever they are, Vietnamese people always look towards their homeland, maintaining their cultural identity and mother tongue. Vietnamese expatriate families in the US, Eastern Europe, Australia, and other places still teach their children to speak Vietnamese. Vietnamese classes and schools have been established and are operating in many locations.

Traditional values, which are at the core of Vietnamese families, are maintained and passed down within Vietnamese expatriate families. This is the thread that connects the Vietnamese community to their homeland, helping them maintain their cultural identity even while living in the diverse environment of globalization.

The traditional Lunar New Year has been internationalized.

For generations, Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) has been the biggest festival for the Vietnamese people. It's not only a time for rest and paying respects to ancestors, but also an opportunity to strengthen family and kinship ties.

The Vietnamese custom of wishing Happy New Year is encapsulated in the saying: "On the first day of Tet, visit your father; on the second day, visit your mother; on the third day, visit your teacher" (Photo: TL).

However, for Vietnamese people living abroad, celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year) can sometimes present many challenges. Many countries do not recognize Tet as a public holiday, forcing the Vietnamese community to balance work and traditional customs.

A significant milestone was reached on December 22, 2023, when the United Nations General Assembly officially adopted a resolution recognizing Lunar New Year as an annual public holiday.

This resolution not only affirms the special cultural value of the Lunar New Year but also encourages United Nations agencies not to hold meetings on the first day of the Lunar New Year. This is a major step forward, helping to internationalize the traditional Tet holiday and creating conditions for Vietnamese people worldwide to celebrate Tet in a more solemn and meaningful way.

Tet is an occasion to connect and preserve family values.

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) has long been a time for Vietnamese people to reunite, strengthen family bonds, and express love.

Customs such as making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), offering sacrifices to ancestors, wishing Happy New Year, and giving lucky money are not only spiritual in nature but also ways for each family member to express gratitude to their grandparents and parents. The family reunion meal on the first day of the year is an indispensable moment in the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people.

For Vietnamese people living abroad, the desire to return home for Tet (Lunar New Year) is always strong. Major airports like Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang are usually packed with people during this time.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to return to Vietnam. For those who remain, they bring the traditional Tet atmosphere to their homeland by organizing festivals, decorating with peach and apricot blossoms, and preparing traditional dishes. Some families even rent out entire restaurants or large halls for the Vietnamese community to celebrate the Lunar New Year together.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the younger generation of Vietnamese people abroad – the generation of global citizens – have sought to preserve and promote traditional values. They use technology to bridge geographical distances and preserve customs through films and songs with folk influences.

Despite living amidst the modern currents of globalization, Vietnamese cultural identity remains intact.

Globalization has opened up great opportunities while also presenting Vietnamese families with many challenges. However, with unwavering resilience and a strong sense of cultural preservation, Vietnamese people have managed to maintain traditional values, transforming the family into a solid "fortress."

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) is not only a time for family reunions but also a time to affirm and promote the noble and core qualities of the Vietnamese people.

Amidst the constant changes in the world, the Vietnamese family remains a steadfast refuge and a source of spiritual strength for each individual.

The international community's recognition of Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year) has elevated the value of this festival, transforming it into an enduring cultural symbol and a testament to the strength and lasting significance of the Vietnamese family.

Unyielding Lake

The Spring 2025 issue of "For Children" magazine

Source: https://dansinh.dantri.com.vn/nhan-luc/tet-nguyen-dan-and-the-sustainable-values-of-vietnamese-family-20250125093145652.htm