A heartwarming feeling on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year.

As always, the 30th day of the Lunar New Year arrives very gently. It's not as noisy as the busy days leading up to Tet, not as bustling as the moment of midnight, but it still has the power to stir up feelings of longing and nostalgia. It's a time when the pace of time suddenly slows down, making everyone, no matter where they are or what they're doing, want to return to their family, to their beloved home.

The joy of border guards when "The outpost is their home, the border is their homeland."

On the morning of the 30th of Tet (Lunar New Year's Eve), dew still clung to the peach blossoms in front of the porch. The gentle chill of late winter was enough to make one shiver slightly upon opening the door, but also enough to feel the warmth spreading from inside the house. The kitchen fire had been burning since early morning. The sticky rice cakes had been taken out of the pot and neatly arranged in the corner of the kitchen, the aroma of fresh rice mingling with the familiar smell of wood smoke, evoking a very Tet-like, very family-like feeling.

In the small house, everyone had their own tasks. The adults busied themselves cleaning and preparing the New Year's feast. The children excitedly ran in and out, occasionally stopping in front of the peach blossoms to admire the delicate pink buds that had just begun to open. Some showed off their new clothes, while others eagerly asked about receiving New Year's gifts and about going with their parents to wish people a Happy New Year. The lively laughter and chatter made the house feel warmer.

The 30th day of the Lunar New Year is a day of reunion. Those who work far from home return. The roads from the cities to the villages are busier than usual, with a continuous stream of vehicles bringing people back to their hometowns after a year of hard work. Some arrive early, others only manage to set foot through the gates of their homes just before midnight, but as soon as they see a familiar face or hear the call of loved ones, all weariness seems to vanish.

The New Year's Eve dinner – a hearty and satisfying meal. The table always includes pork sausage, bamboo shoot soup, pickled onions, and the laughter and conversation during this reunion are truly warm and happy. Everyone sits together, sharing stories of the past year – about business, studies, joys, and sorrows. The elderly listen, nodding slowly, their eyes shining with peace knowing their children and grandchildren are safe and healthy.

Making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

At that moment, memories of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) of the past suddenly flooded back. Life was difficult back then. There weren't many sweets and treats during Tet, and new clothes were scarce. People looked forward to Tet for a few days each year to have a meal with meat and wear decent clothes. It was precisely in those times of scarcity that family reunion became even more precious.

I remember the Tet holidays of yesteryear, when the biting cold of the mountainous region would make the whole family gather around the fire, waiting for the pot of sticky rice cakes to boil. Children would doze off by the fire, while the adults took turns adding firewood, telling each other old stories. There was no bright electricity like now, only the flickering firelight and the crackling sound of burning wood. Yet it was strangely warm. Warm because of the family by my side, warm because of the belief in a new year that, despite many hardships, was full of hope.

Back then, Tet (Lunar New Year) was a rare occasion for the whole family to be together. Some worked in distant fields, others were away on construction projects in other provinces, and all year they longed for a few days during Tet to return home. Sitting together at the dinner table, hearing the laughter of children, and seeing their parents still healthy—that was what made Tet complete.

Compared to the past, life today is very different. Roads are convenient, goods are abundant, and food and clothing are no longer a constant worry. When Tet (Lunar New Year) comes, every household has plenty. However, the core value of Tet is still preserved through generations: family reunion.

Today, on the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, in a more spacious home, the kitchen may no longer use wood-burning stoves but instead gas or electric ones, yet the warmth of family remains intact. The elderly sit on the porch, leisurely watching their children and grandchildren prepare for Tet, their hearts at peace knowing that tradition continues. Young people, though accustomed to modern life, technology, and daily busyness, still return home to their roots when Tet arrives. The reunion of generations during Tet brings profound value.

Hmong girls embroider spring dresses.

In the midst of modern life with its many pressures and worries, people easily get caught up in the whirlwind of work, sometimes forgetting the simple yet enduring things. Tet reminds us to pause, return to our families, and live more slowly and deeply within the embrace of love.

Outside, the streets are becoming more bustling. But in each home, the 30th day of the Lunar New Year still holds its own quiet space, enough for people to deeply appreciate the value of reunion. No matter how much life changes, no matter how far people travel, Tet remains a time to return home, to reconnect the bonds of love that seem to have been blurred by time.

The poignant feeling of the 30th day of the Lunar New Year is the sensation of the final moments of the year, a feeling of nostalgia, anticipation, and happiness at being with family. In today's modern life, the reunion during Tet (Lunar New Year) becomes a precious spiritual anchor. It is a time when people find balance and rediscover the enduring values ​​that have nurtured their souls for generations.

And then, as the clock slowly ticked towards midnight, each person silently gave thanks for the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, a day that had gathered enough love, memories, and hope, so that spring would arrive in the fullness of family reunion.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/van-hoa-xa-hoi/xao-xuyen-ngay-30-tet-eR77jfvvg.html