Many international students have had chances to dress up in ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long gown) and join interesting and exciting activities at their university in Hanoi to welcome the approaching Vietnamese Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet.

On Tuesday, surrounded by schoolmates and teachers at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, overseas students indulged in a Tet experience program entitled ‘Tet sum vay, Xuan binh an’ (‘Tet of reunion, Spring of peace’).

They wore ao dai, listened to quan ho (love duet) songs, arranged Tet five-fruit trays, wrapped banh chung (square sticky rice cakes), and practiced traditional folk games such as ca kheo (walked on stilts) and nhay sap (Cheraw dance) amid a vibrant and exciting festive atmosphere.

Hortense (R, 1st, front row), a 20-year-old French student, and other international students wear ao dai during a Tet experience program at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

Hortense, a 20-year-old French student, shared that she has set up a schedule to celebrate Tet, which falls on January 29.

Accordingly, she will visit attractions around Hanoi enjoying flowers and the jovial atmosphere in the Southeast Asian country.

Hortense said she was told by Vietnamese classmates that Vietnamese people are busy shopping, buying foods and beverages before Tet, and that they will cook for family meals during Tet, when family members will get together.

Hortense (R) and another international student practice the Cheraw dance during a Tet experience program at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

"Hearing this makes me eager to experience Tet and learn about traditional Vietnamese culture," Hortense said, adding that this was the second time she had worn an ao dai and it was very comfortable.

“I really love it and hope to have more opportunities to wear other styles,” she said.

Nathan Daniel Figueroa, a 20-year-old American student, excitedly took part in a contest with a team to arrange the Tet five-fruit tray.

Louis Wald (L, 1st), a 20-year-old German student, practices wrapping banh chung during a Tet experience program at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

An indispensable part of the Vietnamese Tet celebration, the tray contains five different fruits depending on the region.

It is usually placed on the ancestral altar of every Vietnamese family, showing respect for their ancestors and representing the homeowner’s expectations for the new year.

On behalf of his team, Figueroa, who only arrived in Vietnam two weeks ago, made a vivid presentation about arranging their five-fruit tray.

Figueroa said the idea of displaying the five-fruit tray was inspired by his visit to the Hoa Lo Prison relic site in Hanoi where he heard several stories about Vietnamese culture and history, including the significance of the five-fruit tray.

Jakob Christoph Winkler, a 22-year-old German student, expresses his excitement after successfully walking a long distance on stilts during a Tet experience program at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

He was delighted to have a chance to celebrate Tet for the first time along with his classmates.

His parents are planning to travel to Vietnam and the family will go to Ho Chi Minh City.

Another international student, Louis Wald, a 20-year-old German student, was eager to learn how to wrap banh chung.

He said that learning how to make this kind of cake, listening to its history, and understanding the meaning of each ingredient, made him feel more connected with Vietnamese culture.

Two international students hold trau tem canh phuong (quids of betel with ‘Phoenix wings’) during a Tet experience program at the Foreign Trade University in Hanoi, Vietnam, January 14, 2025. Photo: Nguyen Bao / Tuoi Tre

“I chose to study in Vietnam because it is a country that is developing and changing rapidly. I also want to learn more about Vietnamese culture,” said Wald.

Jakob Christoph Winkler, a 22-year-old German student, felt delighted walking a long distance on stilts during the program.

He said he wanted to practice the skill after seeing Vietnamese classmates easily walk on four-meter-high stilts.

Winkler added he would learn more about the cultural significance of this unique folk game.

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