Moving around during Tet...

For them, Lunar New Year has now become a vacation or an opportunity to explore new places. Many consider this a modern way of celebrating the holiday, or simply put, a "new way of celebrating Tet."

When Tet isn't about… returning home

In the minds of Vietnamese people, from ancient times to the present day, Tet (Lunar New Year) is an image of togetherness, warmth, and family reunion. The greatest happiness when Tet arrives is returning to one's old home, to parents and relatives, to be close, to peacefully chat, confide, and share – in short, to enjoy precious moments with loved ones. Therefore, there is the saying , "Tet is for returning home."

Ha Giang - a favorite destination for Vietnamese travelers during Tet (Lunar New Year).

But now, for many people, especially young people, the feeling of Tet (Lunar New Year) is different from before, if not quite different. Tet is no longer about returning home, about reunions, about being busy and bustling around the kitchen with family, cleaning the house, and preparing the Tet feast. Instead, Tet is a time for them to rest, relax, unwind, and have the opportunity to experience new things, admire beautiful resorts and fascinating nature, and eat delicious and exotic food… through… traveling, or in other words, going on vacation during Tet.

Many young people choose to travel during Tet (Lunar New Year), explaining that they want to go because they want to have relaxing moments after a year of hard work. A trip or vacation during Tet is a way many people choose to reward themselves after a year of effort and to recharge their energy to start the new year with enthusiasm.

When traveling during Tet becomes a trend…

I have a friend. For many years, it has seemed to have become a "traditional custom" for her family: on the afternoon of the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), after performing the New Year's Eve rituals and wishing her parents and relatives a happy new year, her family packs their suitcases and begins their first trip of the new year. The destination of this annual trip usually changes each year: one year Phu Quoc, another Da Nang, another Hue, and sometimes Japan or South Korea…

For many years now, families or individuals like my friend have been making their annual trip to the countryside at the beginning of the year, and it's no longer uncommon. It's not just the wealthy; increasingly, people and families with moderate economic means, not only in the two major cities but also in many other localities, are choosing this practice – or, in other words, choosing to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) by traveling instead of the traditional "returning to the hometown" as they've done for so long.

There are many reasons why people choose to travel during Tet (Lunar New Year). It's the longest holiday of the year, allowing people to "let go" of all the invisible pressures like deadlines, endless tasks, or the right to turn off their phones and refuse all work calls or messages without fear of criticism or reprimand; destinations aren't too crowded; and people don't want to be too busy with household chores… The trend of traveling during Tet is becoming increasingly noticeable, not only among young people but also among middle-aged individuals.

It's worth noting that for many people, traveling during Tet (Lunar New Year) is not just a trend but has become a passion, or, to put it simply, an addiction . "The more I travel, the more addicted I become to the feeling of conquering new lands" ; "Nothing is better than starting the new year with a tour exploring unfamiliar places. Traveling during Tet gives you more time to experience, discover the culture, and appreciate the beauty of new lands" - these are the sentiments shared by many when asked why they love going on backpacking trips every Tet.

Japan is a favorite destination for Vietnamese travelers during the Lunar New Year holiday.

For many, traveling is also about returning home; being far away is about remembering, about understanding the value of closeness and family ties. Traveling during Tet (Lunar New Year) is about growing a deeper love for one's homeland, and sometimes, it's an opportunity to better understand and share with those around them. "I've realized that when I leave the land where I was born and raised, stepping out of the small world of my family, I understand how different everything outside is. There are prosperous and wealthy places, and there are places where I experience a Tet filled with hardship and cold winds. Because of this, I understand and empathize even more with the struggles and hardships of my compatriots during the traditional Tet holiday, and I learn to love and share more," shared a young person who loves traveling during Tet .

"Where are you going this Tet holiday?"

That's a question that travel enthusiasts ask themselves very early on during Tet (Lunar New Year) , and some even start thinking about where they'll go next Tet.

According to preliminary surveys, in the North, popular destinations during Tet include Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Lung Cu (Ha Giang), Moc Chau (Son La), Mai Chau (Hoa Binh), and Mau Son (Lang Son)... In the Central and Southern regions, many people choose to visit warm coastal areas such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet (Binh Thuan), and Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), or go to Da Lat (Lam Dong), Hoi An (Da Nang), Can Tho, Con Dao...

This Lunar New Year (Year of the Dragon), according to tour operators, in addition to familiar destinations, in recent years many people have tended to travel to truly pristine places where "phones can't reach." These could be high mountains for easy stargazing, unspoiled beaches, or lush green forests. Activities such as camping, bonfires, and self-cooking will provide opportunities for people to learn survival skills and live closer to nature.

Another popular trend recently is traveling abroad during Tet (Lunar New Year). Vietnamese tourists often choose nearby countries in Asia with direct flights or European countries with beautiful scenery. Some of the top choices include Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. According to travel companies, this year, due to the impact of economic inflation, the cost of overseas travel has increased compared to before the pandemic. While the number of tourists going to Europe, Australia, and the US has decreased, the demand for closer tours such as Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and Dubai has increased significantly.

"Eating Tet" is gradually being replaced by "celebrating Tet, enjoying Tet." The blend of tradition and modernity is also a way for each person to experience the flavor of Tet in their own way. And "traveling for Tet" is also a choice. The question, as Dr. Nguyen Viet Chuc – former Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Culture and Education – put it: "How to celebrate Tet correctly and appropriately, while preserving traditional customs and maintaining the beauty of Tet's traditions?"

Mr. Nguyen

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/xe-dich-tet-post282366.html