Peach blossoms, kumquat trees laden with fruit, the tradition of wrapping ‘banh chung’ (square sticky rice cakes), and the exchange of red envelopes containing lucky money have become cherished experiences for many foreigners during Vietnam's Lunar New Year (Tet), offering them a deeper understanding of Vietnamese culture and local people.

Among those foreigners are diplomats, educators and businessmen in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

From bewilderment to love

This year marks the first time Alexandra Smith, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, has had the chance to experience the atmosphere of Vietnam's traditional Tet, which falls on January 29.

To celebrate Tet, Smith and her team wore ‘ao dai’ (traditional Vietnamese outfit) and joined the recent trend of taking photos in the attire at the metro station – a new experience for young people.

"As a foreigner, I have felt the New Year atmosphere since January, but in Vietnam, that feeling is only really clear when Tet is near," said Smith.

According to Alexandra, one of the most interesting differences between Christmas in the UK and Tet in Vietnam is the custom of giving lucky money.

She was surprised to learn that the age of receiving lucky money can vary depending on each person, some people will stop receiving lucky money after turning 18, but others will continue to receive it until they get married or have a stable job.

Meanwhile, Chris Jeffery, pro-vice chancellor of the British University Vietnam, shared about his 14 times celebrating Tet in Hanoi.

He was always surprised by the hospitality of the Vietnamese people when they invited him, a Westerner, to join their family in celebrating Tet.

When he first arrived in Vietnam, everyone advised him to get out of the city during Tet, travel and relax. Because at this time most shops will be closed. But admitting to ‘being stubborn,’ Jeffery decided to do the opposite.

“The presence of peach and kumquat blossoms always makes me feel the Tet season. Many delivery people tie kumquat and peach trees to their motorbikes and ride through the streets, while many people wear ‘ao dai’ to take pictures. Those are truly beautiful scenes,” Jeffery recalled.

Scott Green, a young British entrepreneur who has lived in Vietnam for over 13 years, recalled his early years in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet as being rather quiet. Back then, his friends would all return to their hometowns.

At that time, Green did not feel the same sense of connection that he would experience in later years, particularly after he began dating a Vietnamese woman.

Another foreigner celebrating Tet in Hanoi, Mads Werner, a young Danish businessman, has celebrated Tet eight times in 11 years living in Vietnam.

Werner currently leads Ekko, a financial technology company, along with several other businesses across various industries in Vietnam.

For him, Vietnam is not only a place to live and work, but also a place where he has learned and contributed to the community.

“My friends in Denmark often joke that I am becoming Vietnamese, and my Vietnamese language skills are improving. Even my colleagues and friends in Vietnam have started calling me a ‘true Hanoian,’” Werner said.

‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’

Green initially found Tet customs such as making ‘banh chung,’ visiting and giving lucky money quite strange, but over time, he gradually loved and understood their value.

He also wondered why people typically put lucky money in red envelopes, but now he understands that it is a way to show love and gratitude toward others, even to trusted parking lot security guards.

“The joy and surprise in their eyes when they received lucky money felt priceless to me,” Green shared. “It’s not just about the money – it’s about recognizing and appreciating the efforts everyone puts into life.”

He is so fond of the tradition that he is even considering introducing it to British culture, believing it could bring more happiness to everyone.

One of his favorite Tet activities is lighting a campfire and watching fireworks in Hai Duong, his girlfriend's hometown.

He describes the experience as a "magical and lively space," made even more enjoyable by the neighborhood kids excitedly practicing their English with him.

While many Western countries return to work after the Christmas holiday, Vietnam is celebrating Tet. For Jeffery, who is currently in Vietnam, this means a mix of work and cultural immersion.

He still takes time to go out, visit people, and reflect on the opportunities and challenges the new year brings.

“In previous Tet holidays, Hanoi felt like a rural village, but that's no longer the case,” Jeffery observed.

“There are more cars now, and the streets, which used to be quiet and easy to navigate during the holidays, are busier than on a regular workday. This change is particularly noticeable if you live near temples.”

Even so, he is excited to arrange time to clean the house in preparation for the new year, with the help of a maid to ensure everything is neat.

Preparing for the New Year

This Tet, Green, the current CEO of Vive (Vietnam) Company Limited – formerly known as 'Song Thuan Chay' (literally ‘Live a Vegan Life’) – and his family in Vietnam will take time to relax and prepare for their upcoming wedding.

He shared that he plans to serve vegetarian food at his wedding, which presents an interesting challenge considering the large scale of traditional weddings in Vietnam.

He mentioned that his fiancée’s parents have consulted feng shui masters to select the ideal wedding date.

“Although I'm not sure if this is really important, I believe in wisdom of her parents, who have had more than 30 years of happiness together,” he said.

Also choosing to enjoy a peaceful holiday in Hanoi, Werner will take advantage of this time to focus on personal projects, relax and maybe organize a few small meetings.

For him, this is the ideal time to reflect and enjoy simple pleasures.

“I love driving through the quiet streets of Hanoi during Tet, searching for a pho restaurant that’s still open,” he shared.

Pho is a signature Vietnamese dish made with fresh rice noodles, broth, and either beef or chicken.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam!