Foreign students enjoy Vietnamese Lunar New Year Tet festival

Many foreign students studying in Vietnam are looking forward to celebrating the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) in the country. They are eager to enjoy the special cultural identities of the Vietnamese people during the coming event.

“We together cook Laotian dishes and celebrate Tet in Ho Chi Minh City," said Vonchay, a Laotian student at HCM City Economics University. This is the second time he has experienced the Tet fest in Vietnam.

Vonchay and other Lao students at a hostel reserved for Laotian students in the city will celebrate Tet fest with Vietnamese friends. Back in their country, Lunar New Year festival falls in mid April. On this occasion people splash water on each other, considering it good luck.

Souksamone, another Laotian student at HCM City Architecture University, recalled his first Tet in Vietnam. “I was anxious and had no idea about Tet, however, I felt comfortable and happy to enjoy Tet fest with Vietnamese friends." He added that he would buy a lot of gifts for Vietnamese friends this year.

But many overseas students often feel homesick during Vietnam’s Tet fest. Their parents often phone them to encourage them and give them best wishes.

The management board of the hostel has prepared some programmes for Laotian students on the special holiday, said Truong Thi Xuan Hoan, Vice Director of the hostel.

Meanwhile, another common activity of foreign students studying in Vietnam during Tet fest is to travel to explore more about Vietnam.

“Much has been said about Tet of the Vietnamese people and now we are ready to enjoy it," said Chiemi Hiroto and Kazuya Nomiyama, two Japanese students who have been studying Vietnamese language for two months at HCM City Social Science and Humanities University.

They are looking forward to a trip to Hoi An ancient town, Da Nang and Hue imperial city from February 7 to 11 (first to fifth day of the Lunar New Year). They are well informed of the cultural activities to be held in the regions.

“I will buy two Ao dai, one white and one violet to wear on the special occasion. I will also present gifts to children," said Chiemi.

Source: TT/QDND