People from Nghe Tinh province happily celebrate the New Year 2018 in Japan.

(Baonghean.vn) - To celebrate the New Year 2018, the Nghe Tinh Hometown Association in Japan organized many lively exchange and gathering activities.

Last year, socio-economic conditions in Japan were not very good, with the Yen depreciating, job instability, and limited overtime opportunities, which significantly affected the lives of Vietnamese workers in general, and those from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces in particular, in Japan. However, this New Year's Day, fellow Nghe An and Ha Tinh compatriots living and working throughout Japan still organized many joyful activities to welcome the new year 2018.

Making banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes) to celebrate the New Year by people from Nghe Tinh province in Okayama.

In Okayama, the Nghe Tinh Hometown Association had been preparing to celebrate the New Year for several days beforehand. They planned the program, announced it widely on social media, organized the wrapping and cooking of banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), and prepared traditional dishes (gio cha, xoi dau, pickled vegetables, etc.).

From the morning of December 31st, people gathered early at the foot of Usoga Bridge to decorate for the celebration. Nearly 90 young people working in Okayama Prefecture and the surrounding areas came together to celebrate the New Year.

The program lasted from noon until late at night. Besides listening to reports and discussions, fellow countrymen also presented commemorative plaques to those who were about to return home, called for donations to help families in need back home, and enjoyed a celebratory meal.

A joyful reunion of people from Nghe Tinh province in Kanto.

Mr. Tran Sy Trung (from Dien Chau), who works in Nagoya, said: “This year, due to special circumstances in Nagoya, the Hometown Association couldn't organize a gathering, so I had to go to Okayama to celebrate with my friends. The atmosphere of celebrating Tet here is really warm.”

In the Kanto region, compatriots from Nghe Tinh province living and working in seven prefectures and cities (Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, Gunma, Tochigi, Ybaraki, and Kanagawa) gathered at Shinmatsudo station in Chiba prefecture to celebrate the New Year.

In a warm and friendly atmosphere, everyone listened to reports from various associations and groups, exchanged thoughts, and shared fun games with prizes. A particularly memorable moment was the expanded folk singing competition (ví-dặm style) held in Japan.

The beauty of the people of Nghe An in Kanto

The joy of New Year's Day 2018 for people from Nghe An in Japan.

New Year's Day in Japan is the main holiday of the year. During this holiday, workers get a week off. Not only in Okayama, Kanto, but also in many other places like Osaka, Hiroshima, etc., people from Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces enthusiastically organize gatherings, cultural exchanges, and food festivals to welcome the new year.

It is known that the New Year celebration program is one of the main activities of the Nghe Tinh Hometown Associations in Japan, aiming to strengthen interaction and understanding among members, bringing everyone a warm and joyful New Year celebration filled with the spirit of camaraderie in the "land of cherry blossoms".

Huy Thu - Minh Nghia