Tet and Mother

Among the "Tet book basket" for the 2026 Lunar New Year is "Tet and Mother" by author Nguyen Duong Quynh - a meaningful story that shows that Tet is not only a time for family reunions but also a time to fully experience the love of family. Author Nguyen Duong Quynh shared with Dong Nai Weekend about her first book of 2026.

In "Tet and Mother," what story about Tet did you tell?

- "Tet and Mother" is a nostalgic story about Tet in the 1990s. Throughout, it depicts the bustling atmosphere of Tet preparations in a small town in the South Central region, still simple and unpretentious. Children eagerly celebrate Tet, enjoying delicious food, while adults are busy preparing and cleaning. On a flight, the protagonist – now an adult – has a dream that takes her back to the past, back to being Mai Ca, a young elementary school girl, experiencing Tet of her childhood once again in the love of her family and in the nostalgia for her deceased mother.

In your opinion, what are the characteristic colors of Tet and Mother?

- The colors associated with Tet and Mother are undoubtedly the cheerful colors of the holiday, such as apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, Tet sweets and preserves, and the myriad of colorful and flavorful dishes in the New Year's Eve dinner. However, viewed through the lens of Mai Ca, an adult, these colors sometimes evoke a sense of nostalgia.

Is it true that mothers are always a special figure associated with Tet (Vietnamese New Year) and the childhood of children like Mai Ca?

- I think parents, especially mothers, are always very important to children. For Mai Ca, going back in time and being able to see things with a more mature perspective has helped her understand and empathize with her mother more.

Through "Tet and Mother," what message do you want to convey to young readers?

- The last days of the year are busy with preparations and also filled with anticipation for the arrival of Tet (Lunar New Year), a time to remind everyone to return home to their families and open their hearts to loved ones. I hope we all have time to gather with our families and cherish the present moments with our dearest loved ones.

Author Nguyen Duong Quynh (born 1990) lived and studied in Singapore and Japan, majoring in Fine Arts; currently works at the Faculty of Design and Art, Hoa Sen University, Ho Chi Minh City. Her works include: Red, Our Town, Rabbit Falling from the Moon, Deep Summer, The Magical Celestial Sphere series, Sleep Well, Muse, Wind Kingdom, Surya - Song of the Sun, House.

NH

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202601/tet-va-me-2cc1240/