A heartwarming birthday celebration amidst the pandemic.

Concise yet elegant and warm.

After the fun daysLunar New YearAlong with ancestral worship rituals, reflecting the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source" and gathering with family, relatives, and friends, families with elderly members often organize longevity celebrations for their parents and grandparents. This is one of the beautiful traditions of the Vietnamese people, expressing respect and love for the elders in the family and lineage.

Grandchildren celebrate the 100th birthday of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tieng, from Hamlet 6, Tru Son Commune (Do Luong District). Photo: Nguyen Dao

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tieng, from Hamlet 6, Tru Son Commune (Do Luong District), is delighted to receive the care and attention of his children and grandchildren, who organized a joyful and warm birthday celebration for him. Photo: Nguyen Dao

During the Lunar New Year of 2022 (Year of the Tiger), the Covid-19 pandemic remained quite complex, with a high risk of outbreaks and spread. Therefore, disease prevention and control were given special attention by all levels of government. Prior to the Lunar New Year, the Provincial People's Committee directed the suspension of festivals and limited the number of participants in activities such as birthday celebrations, ancestral worship ceremonies, memorial services, and weddings to ensure safety.

SomefamilyLocalities still organize longevity celebrations for parents and grandparents, as this is a legitimate need when parents and grandparents reach a ripe old age and their children and grandchildren have the opportunity to gather together at the beginning of the Spring. However, the composition and number of participants are limited to the lowest possible level in accordance with the directives of the Provincial People's Committee.

The descendants of Mr. Vo Cong Phu, from Hamlet 6, Tru Son Commune (Do Luong District), at a ceremony celebrating their parents and grandparents' 80th birthday. Photo: Nguyen Dao

This year, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tieng, residing in Hamlet 6, Tru Son Commune (Do Luong District), turned 100 years old. Since the beginning of last year, his entire family had been planning a celebration for him during the Lunar New Year of the Tiger 2022. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, even those living far away, arranged their schedules to return home for Tet and participate in the celebration.

People who live to be 100 years old are very rare, and it's a source of pride for their family, clan, and village, so the initial plan was very simple.birthday celebrationMr. Tieng's wedding was planned to be a large-scale event, with hundreds of guests. However, due to the ongoing pandemic and the high risk of transmission, the family unanimously decided to scale down the event, mainly holding it internally to ensure safety.

Many families in Tru Son commune (Do Luong district) have scaled down their birthday celebrations for relatives to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic. Photo: Nguyen Dao

Despite the absence of relatives, neighbors, and friends, the birthday celebration of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tieng's family was still joyful and filled with warmth and affection. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren all presented him with meaningful gifts such as paintings, clothes, hats, and shoes, expressing their love, respect, and pride for the elder of the family and lineage.

Seeing her children and grandchildren gathered together, showing their filial piety and respect, Mrs. Tieng smiled happily. She held each person's hand, expressing her emotion, and did not forget to wish them a prosperous new year, a happy family, and good fortune in all endeavors.

Leaders of Nghi Lien commune (Vinh city) and the Trung Lien hamlet management board presented a certificate to Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuong (102 years old). Photo: Cong Khang

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chau – the eldest son of Mr. Tieng – said: “Because of the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, the number of people attending the birthday celebration was reduced, and those from areas affected by the pandemic could not return to participate. Nevertheless, the ceremony was still held solemnly and warmly, creating an unforgettable memory for the whole family.”

Also in Hamlet 6, Tru Son Commune (Do Luong District), Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dieu turned 90 this year; Mr. and Mrs. Vo Cong Phu turned 80, and their children and grandchildren organized a longevity celebration for them. The scale of the ceremony was also reduced becauseCovid-19 pandemicThe situation is becoming complicated, almost entirely limited to descendants and close relatives, and not expanding as originally planned.

Strictly implement directives on epidemic prevention and control.

Along with the families of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tieng, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Dieu, and Mr. Vo Cong Phu, many families organized longevity celebrations for their parents and grandparents on this occasion. In the context of "safe adaptation" to the Covid-19 pandemic, most families scaled down the size of the ceremonies. Notable examples include the family of Mr. Phan Ba ​​Tinh, Hamlet 3, Trung Son Commune (Do Luong District), Mrs. Bui Thi Huong, Quyet Thang Hamlet, Tuong Son Commune (Anh Son District), and many other families in districts, towns, and cities throughout the province…

Grandchildren and relatives gathered to celebrate Mr. Nguyen Viet Huu's 85th birthday at the Trung Lien Hamlet Cultural Center, Nghi Lien Commune (Vinh City). Photo: Cong Khang

Following the provincial directive, this year many communes and wards currently experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic did not organize centralized longevity celebrations and parties as in previous years. The presentation of gifts and certificates to elderly people turning 70, 80, 90, and 100 was also carried out before Tet (Lunar New Year), ensuring a solemn ceremony and contributing to boosting morale, helping the elderly live happily, healthily, and productively.

At the block, hamlet, and village level, within communes, wards, and towns located withingreen zoneThe Management Board and the Elderly Association still organized longevity celebrations, but the ceremonies were quick and efficient, with everyone adhering to the "5K" guidelines. For example, in Trung Lien hamlet, Nghi Lien commune (Vinh city), this morning, February 4th (the 4th day of the Lunar New Year of the Tiger), a longevity celebration was held for the elderly.

Presenting certificates to elderly people in Hoa Tay ward, Thach Giam town (Tuong Duong district). Photo: Dinh Tuan

Everyone attending the ceremony wore masks, sanitized their hands, and maintained social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The organizers also shortened the program.programmeThe focus was on the congratulatory speeches from the commune leaders and the presentation of certificates to the members.

Also on this occasion, Hoa Tay ward, Thach Giam town (Tuong Duong district) organized a longevity celebration and presented certificates to one 90-year-old, two 80-year-olds, and four 70-year-olds. The ceremony was also brief, omitting the celebratory feast and focusing on the congratulatory remarks.

After the longevity celebration held at the Hoa Tay Ward Cultural Center in Thach Giam town (Tuong Duong district), family members stayed to take commemorative photos with their parents and grandparents. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Thus, during the Lunar New Year celebration of the Year of the Tiger 2022, localities and people have quite seriously implemented the directives on COVID-19 prevention and control issued by the Provincial People's Committee. Wards, communes, villages, hamlets, and families have streamlined the organization of longevity celebrations, avoiding large gatherings, limiting the risk of disease transmission, and demonstrating a sense of responsibility.community, society.