Two foreign teachers currently working in Vietnam have expressed their passion for the cultural significance of Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday and are excited to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of the upcoming Tet celebration.

First ao dai experience

Hong Ha Young, a volunteer lecturer at the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Technology of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, has been in Vietnam for six months.

This is her first time experiencing Vietnamese culture, including the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday celebration.

She shared, “I was invited by Trinh Que Nhu, a Korean language student, to celebrate Tet in her hometown. It has brought back sweet memories of my childhood Tet celebrations in South Korea.

“When I was a child, my family used to gather at my grandmother’s house. Now that my grandparents have passed, those times feel distant.”

Hong expressed her happiness for spending Tet with Nhu’s family.

“Everyone here is so warm-hearted and kind. Nhu’s family welcomed me wholeheartedly, always with bright smiles,” she said.

Hong Ha Young, a South Korean volunteer lecturer in Ho Chi Minh City, poses for a photo at a shop selling Tet items in Vietnam. Photo: Supplied

She especially loves Vietnamese culture and people, adding that wearing an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional outfit) made her feel charming.

“The atmosphere at Nhu’s home is genuinely joyful. Her parents treat me like their eldest daughter, and Nhu’s younger sister calls me big sister.

“If I have the chance, I’ll return and celebrate Tet with them again,” Hong shared.

Recently, Hong has participated in various Tet activities, such as decorating the ancestral altar, making traditional banh com (rice krispies treats), visiting Tet markets, preparing offerings for the year-end meal, and traveling with Nhu’s family.

She is particularly interested in the bustling atmosphere of traditional Tet markets.

Nhu, meanwhile, mentioned her impressions during her time studying and working with Hong.

“Knowing that she wouldn’t be returning to Korea for Tet, I invited her to experience the traditional Tet celebration in my hometown. I told my family a lot about her, so they were very happy to meet her.”

Nhu herself has strongly participated in Korean-Vietnamese cultural exchange activities, aiming to learn about Korean culture while promoting Vietnam’s culture and people.

“I hope to contribute more to strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and Korea in the future,” Nhu said.

Tet the time for family reunion

Zach Moffatt, an American who is a language teacher at EMG Education – one of Vietnam’s largest private education organizations – is experiencing his second Tet celebration in Vietnam, where he has lived for over a year and a half.

Zach Moffatt, a language teacher at EMG Education, one of Vietnam’s largest private education organizations, is shown in the photo. Photo: Supplied

“In my teaching journey, I’ve celebrated Tet through school events. I’ve learned that Tet is the most important holiday in Vietnam, the longest and grandest celebration of the year,” Moffatt shared.

He finds Tet fascinating because it brings families together, offering people a chance to reunite and relax after a busy year.

Moffatt has found pleasure in buying Tet decorations and taking photographs of the vibrant displays.

“When I return to the U.S., I’ll have so many interesting things to tell my friends. For instance, it’s a time when every corner is filled with vibrant colors and energy – something you won’t find anywhere else in the world,” he said.

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