Vietnamese Tet in the Digital Age

Technology has permeated every aspect of Tet, changing the way people prepare for and celebrate the spring season.

The final days of the year always arrive gently, yet powerfully enough to stir the heart. When the wall calendar has only a few thin pages left, when the streets begin to waft the scent of spring flowers and fruits, Tet (Lunar New Year) is coming. In today's fast-paced life, Tet no longer knocks with the vibrant red of new couplets or the hurried pace of last-minute journeys as in the past, but arrives in many different ways: through a calendar reminder, a hurried phone call, or the bright light of a phone screen in the late afternoon. But no matter which path it takes, Tet still carries a unique sacred feeling, the feeling of returning home.

People preserve memories at Hang Luoc flower market ( Hanoi ) in the days leading up to Tet. Photo: Hoang Hieu/TTXVN

At the end of the year, every home begins a quiet "transformation." Cleaning the house is not just a daily chore, but a spiritual ritual; sweeping away the old dust is also a way to cleanse away bad luck and pave the way for a peaceful new year. In the past, the whole family would roll up their sleeves, clean the altar, wash the curtains, and rearrange every little corner. These seemingly arduous tasks became warm memories, where laughter mingled with sweat, and where the Lunar New Year was "called home" through the very act of family reunion.

Nowadays, in the digital age, cleaning has become much easier. With just a few taps on a phone, cleaning services can be scheduled, and the house can be tidied up while the homeowner prepares for other things. For families who still want to do the cleaning themselves to truly feel the Tet atmosphere, modern technology silently shares the burden: the washing machine spins smoothly, the vacuum cleaner glides gently across the floor, and the dishwasher replaces people standing by the cold water sink. The end-of-year chores are therefore less strenuous, but what's precious is that the feeling of anticipation for Tet remains intact.

As Tet (Lunar New Year) approaches, life becomes more bustling. In the shared memories of many generations, it's a time when the kitchen fire burns brighter, the aroma of pickled onions, shallots, and traditional sweets blending together to create a unique springtime flavor. These traditional dishes are not just for satisfying hunger, but also to remind us of our roots and family traditions. Even though many families today choose the convenience of stores, supermarkets, or online shopping, deep down, Tet remains associated with the desire to preserve a part of the old traditions, even if it's just a small pot of sticky rice cakes or a plate of homemade sweets.

Technology has permeated every aspect of Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year), changing how people prepare for and celebrate the spring season. Shopping is no longer confined to crowded markets, but has expanded to the digital space, where everything is just a few taps away. New Year's greetings no longer require face-to-face meetings, but can be sent instantly, overcoming seemingly vast geographical distances. Thanks to technology, those far from home can still see the smiles of their grandparents and parents, and hear familiar voices during the transition from the old year to the new.

However, amidst all the convenience and speed, Tet also quietly raises the question: does spring pass too quickly amidst countless notifications? Perhaps Tet hasn't disappeared; it just requires us to actively preserve it. No emoji can replace a firm handshake, no text message can compare to the gaze exchanged over the New Year's meal. Tet, in whatever form, still needs the complete presence of people—a presence not fragmented by screens or incessant notifications.

This year, the traditional Hang Luoc flower market in Hanoi has been expanded, connecting with Hang Ma street and extending into the Phung Hung area. Photo: Minh Quyet/TTXVN

The traditional Lunar New Year, which has accompanied the Vietnamese people through thousands of years of history, is a thread connecting the past with the present. It is an occasion for each person to return to their roots, light incense for their ancestors, and remind each other of where they come from. In the flow of modernity, where many values ​​are changing rapidly, preserving the spirit of Tet has become more important than ever. Preserving it doesn't mean rejecting technology, but rather finding a balance: allowing convenience to serve people without obscuring the sacred.

Vietnamese Tet in the digital age therefore takes on the appearance of a fusion. In this context, tradition and modernity are not in opposition, but coexist. Old values ​​are renewed to continue to thrive, while new conveniences are carefully selected so as not to overwhelm emotions. As long as people still know how to pause, how to live a little slower amidst a constantly connected world , Tet will remain warm, profound, and deeply familiar.

Then Tet will pass, like every spring that quietly leaves the small alley after its glorious days. The flower pots will fade, the feast will gradually diminish, and the streets will return to their usual rhythm of life. Only a gentle void remains in each person's heart, a warm memory of those reunions still burning within. In this constantly digitizing world, where everything can be preserved in images, videos , and text messages stored in phone memory, there are things that cannot be copied: the glances exchanged on New Year's Eve, the warmth of a family meal, the lingering scent of incense at the ancestral altar.

Vietnamese Tet, after all, isn't about the old or new ways of celebrating, nor about technology or convenience, but about the feeling of returning home—returning to family, to memories, to the deepest part of one's soul. And then, when spring has passed, each person returns to their daily lives, carrying a silent reminder: no matter how far we go, no matter how much times change, there is always a Tet waiting for us to return, with unwavering love and a never-ending longing.

According to VNA/News and Ethnic Minorities Newspaper

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/xa-hoi/202602/tet-viet-trong-thoi-dai-so-e174fc6/