Foreigners excited at Vietnam’s traditional New Year
A new spring is nearing. Not only Vietnamese but foreigners who are living in the country are very eager to welcome the Lunar New Year, the biggest festival of Vietnamese in a year.
Not only Vietnamese but foreigners who are living in the country are very eager to welcome the Lunar New Year. (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A new spring is nearing. Not onlyVietnamese but foreigners who are living in the country are very eager towelcome the Lunar New Year, the biggest festival of Vietnamese in a year.
Sofia Kukkonen, 30, from Finland told the Vietnam NewsAgency’s reporter that she is surprised and excited at colourful streets whenTet is drawing near.
Sofia, who has been in Vietnam since August 2017 and is nowworking at the Vin Space Art Studio in Ho Chi Minh City, said this is the firsttime she has welcomed Vietnam’s traditional New Year.
Sofia said she and her friends took a stroll around streetswhich are now decorated with peach flowers, kumquat and home decorations to capturethe Tet holiday in Vietnam, adding that the atmosphere reminds her of the NewYear in her homeland.
She said she will also visit her Vietnamese friend in thenorthern province of Thai Binh during the festival.
“I want to fully experience Vietnam’s Lunar New Year to getinspirations for my art works,” she said.
32-year-old Luke Basford from the UK said he will travel toPhu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang to experience the Tetholiday of local islanders.
Luke, a teacher of the Vietnam-Australia School, said he hadopportunities to enjoy the Tet festivals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
He said the atmosphere of preparing for Tet in Vietnam iswonderful. He tried traditional Tet dishes in Hanoi and HCM City, which have uniquetastes. This year, he hopes to see Vietnam’s stunning beaches and taste specialVietnamese food in Phu Quoc.
“I have chances to taste Vietnam’s traditional dishes duringTet, especially Banh Chung (squaresticky rice cake). I am offered this dish when visiting any Vietnamese family duringthe festival. I like the legend behind the cake,” said Booby Webber, anAustralian teacher.
Booby, who had spent two Tetfestivals in Vietnam, said he will visit some of his Vietnamese friends duringthis year’s Tet holiday and he has prepared lucky money for the elderly andchildren in their families.
“This is a nice custom ofVietnamese people, demonstrating the respect for the elderly and love forchildren. You should preserve it,” he said. -VNA
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Not only Vietnamese but foreigners who are living in the country are very eager to welcome the Lunar New Year. (Source: VNA) 
