Tet in Quang Tri is captivating for visitors from afar.

QTO - For foreigners living and working in Quang Tri, the Lunar New Year is an opportunity to enjoy, observe, and immerse themselves in the time, space, and cultural identity, customs, and traditions of Vietnam. From this, many gain a deeper understanding and love for this land.

A warm Tet holiday

Matthew Edward Berry (born in 1987) left England for Vietnam in 2018 with the goal of finding a place away from the hustle and bustle of big cities where he could both teach and experience Vietnamese culture. He came to Dong Ha and was attracted by the peaceful, simple lifestyle and the kindness and sincerity of the people there. His relationship deepened when he married a teacher from Quang Tri . He now has a small family living in Dong Ha ward.

Although he has celebrated Lunar New Year in Vietnam many times, each year brings Matthew Edward Berry a different and special feeling. “I really enjoy the atmosphere before Tet, with family members gathering together to prepare food, clean, and decorate the house; going to the flower market together, and waiting for New Year's Eve… The way Vietnamese people celebrate Tet at home is so warm and cozy. Everyone welcomes guests and visits family and friends to exchange New Year's greetings. This gives me a feeling of warmth, peace, and hope for the new year,” Matthew Edward Berry shared. It is these moments that make Quang Tri his second home.

Matthew Edward Berry (third from the right) happily celebrates the traditional Lunar New Year with his small family in Dong Ha ward - Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

For Samuel Domfeh (born in 1989), originally from Ghana, a West African country, and currently an English teacher at ESI English Center in Dong Ha ward, Tet (Vietnamese New Year) is a special time that helps him feel more connected to Vietnamese culture and community.

Samuel Domfeh arrived in Quang Tri in February 2023 and has been living there ever since. “This Lunar New Year marks three years since I started living here. I moved to Quang Tri for my teaching job, but over time, the peaceful environment and the friendliness of the people have made me feel comfortable like I'm at home, and I want to stay forever.”

Samuel Domfeh shared that the people of Quang Tri are very thoughtful, kind, and always willing to help others. “My neighbors always greet me warmly and invite me to participate in local events. They make me feel like I’m part of the community. The simple lifestyle and the strong family and community bonds here also impress me. Every time we celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year), it helps me understand more about Vietnamese culture and appreciate the lives of the local people even more,” Samuel Domfeh said.

During Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), he often receives invitations to year-end parties, New Year's Eve celebrations, and New Year's greetings from employers, neighbors, and friends. Samuel Domfeh shared: “For me, celebrating Tet in Quang Tri is like a wonderful holiday. I am often invited to friends' homes for Tet. We chat, laugh, and enjoy traditional Vietnamese dishes together. They treat me like family. And for me, it's an incredibly warm and meaningful experience.”

Always excited and looking forward to it.

Having lived in Dong Hoi for nine years and celebrated eight Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebrations with friends, Bikramjit Singh (born in 1995), originally from Punjab, India, still feels excited and eagerly anticipates the arrival of Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

The Lunar New Year in his first year in Dong Hoi left the deepest impression on him because of its novelty. "I and some friends wore traditional Vietnamese ao dai to wish people a Happy New Year. Everywhere we went, people warmly welcomed us and invited us to enjoy traditional, simple but delicious dishes," Bikramjit Singh recalled.

Sharing about how he came to Quang Tri, he said that he had always dreamed of joining the armed forces to protect his country. However, after several unsuccessful attempts to get into military schools, he decided to study at a university of physical education and sports , specializing in Yoga and gymnastics.

After graduating, Bikramjit Singh worked as a lecturer teaching these two subjects at an international school in India, but later wished to seek opportunities to improve himself in another country. Coincidentally, a friend introduced him to Vietnam. Having lived and worked in Dong Hoi for nine years, Bikramjit Singh never felt any cultural or social distance. The warmth and sincerity of the people made him increasingly attached to the land and its people.

“My students have supported me in many ways. They enthusiastically helped me with whatever I needed, which was a huge source of encouragement while living far from home. Thanks to their support, I was able to build my own yoga studio here,” Bikramjit Singh said. He also felt that in Vietnam there is no distinction between rich and poor or class divisions in society.

“This is very evident in my yoga classes. My students include officials from provincial departments and agencies, business owners, and also self-employed individuals and small-scale traders… but there is virtually no discrimination. Everyone is very friendly, sincere, and open with each other… Everyone moves together in harmony, sharing a rhythm and positive energy when they come to class. Whenever a student encounters difficulties and needs help, the class members are always ready to assist, without any barriers,” said Bikramjit Singh.

According to Bikramjit Singh, in Vietnam, people are preserving their cultural roots and national history very well, with the beauty of the traditional Lunar New Year being a prime example. As in previous years, for the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, Bikramjit Singh will drive his motorbike to visit some friends and explore the roads and community tourism destinations in Quang Tri.

“Throughout this time, outside of class hours, I’ve been driving around and felt very safe. I really enjoyed the Tet (Vietnamese New Year) celebrations. The local cuisine is so rich, so I’ve switched from being a vegetarian, a habit I formed since childhood in India, to enjoying traditional Vietnamese dishes. Now I’m hooked on sticky rice with chicken and some of the local seafood dishes,” Bikramjit Singh revealed.

Mai Lam

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202602/tet-o-quang-tri-quyen-ru-nguoi-phuong-xa-d876589/