Brian Jeffrey
A large number of international students at Hanoi University were pleasantly surprised when their teachers presented them with red envelopes filled with lucky money, showcasing the vibrant Tet traditions in Vietnam.
Atarashi Saku, a third-year student majoring in Vietnamese Studies, is celebrating her second Tet in Vietnam. After her first experience at a friend’s home in Vinh Phuc last year, she is eagerly looking forward to the festivities again.
Last Tet, Saku engaged in many traditional practices, such as selecting peach blossoms, wearing an ao dai, making bánh chưng, singing karaoke, and savoring various festive Vietnamese dishes. The tasty treats, especially bánh chưng and spring rolls, added 4 kilograms to her weight after the celebrations.
This year, Saku decided to remain in Vietnam, participating in a pre-Tet celebration arranged by the university for hundreds of international students. The celebration featured lion dances, calligraphy, traditional games, and the giving of lucky money (lì xì).
“Receiving lucky money is my favorite part. It’s such a charming cultural tradition. It’s not about the amount; it’s the thought behind it that brings good luck and blessings,” Saku expressed.
When comparing Tet in Vietnam with New Year festivities in Japan, Saku highlighted the distinct differences. Japan follows the Gregorian calendar, involving temple visits and eating soba noodles for longevity, while Vietnam’s Lunar New Year includes thorough preparations like cleaning, shopping, and setting up offerings such as the five-fruit tray (mâm ngũ quả).
“I have already planned to celebrate this Tet in a friend’s hometown to fully grasp its significance and joy,” she mentioned.
For Li Na, a Chinese exchange student, this is her first Tet in Vietnam. She found the process of making bánh chưng particularly difficult, especially when it came to folding the leaves correctly to form a square.
In her home region of Yunnan, a similar sticky rice dish is made, but it’s smaller and often steamed or boiled. She noted that dumplings, chicken, and fish are more prevalent during the Chinese New Year.
“Everything here is a new experience for me. I’m learning to make Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls and bánh chưng,” Li Na stated.
Lloyd Julian, a Filipino student, relished the traditional Tet game of tossing rings onto the necks of ducks. Celebrating his third Tet in Vietnam, he enjoys traditional foods like chả giò and bánh chưng.
Every year, Lloyd opts to spend Tet at a different friend’s house in areas such as Son Tay, Nam Dinh, and Ninh Binh, allowing him to explore regional customs.
“Tet in Vietnam feels so warm and lively. It reminds me of my own homeland,” he remarked.
Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan, the head of the Vietnamese Studies department, mentioned that Hanoi University currently has over 700 international students, with more than half choosing to stay in Vietnam for Tet this year.
To immerse these students in Vietnamese culture, the university organizes various activities such as calligraphy, bánh chưng preparation, making spring rolls, gifting lucky money, and engaging in traditional games like nhảy sạp and creating clay figurines.
During Tet, students also visit their teachers’ homes to exchange New Year greetings and share meals, enhancing their connection to Vietnamese culture.
“These Tet experiences create a sense of belonging for students and enrich their understanding of Vietnam’s culture and people. They will become cultural advocates between Vietnam and the global community,” Dr. Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan added.
