Celebrating longevity - A beautiful cultural tradition at the beginning of Spring.
Every Lunar New Year, alongside customs such as exchanging New Year greetings and going on spring excursions, the celebration of longevity is a beautiful traditional cultural practice preserved and promoted in many Vietnamese families.
Spreading the tradition of "respecting and honoring the elderly".
Celebrating longevity at the beginning of the year is organized by Party committees, government agencies, organizations, associations, and the community, demonstrating concern for the elderly. It is also an opportunity for children and grandchildren to express their respect, gratitude, and filial piety towards their grandparents and parents.
In Vinh Hung ward, Nghe An province, the home of Mrs. Ngo Thi Lan in Trung My hamlet was more bustling than usual during the first days of the new year. This year, she celebrated her 90th birthday in a warm, solemn, and loving atmosphere. Her five children, eleven grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and relatives from many provinces and cities across the country returned to reunite and celebrate her birthday.
Ms. Ngo Thi Lan emotionally shared: "I am so happy, excited, and moved that my children and grandchildren from both the North and South have come to celebrate my birthday." For the elderly, the greatest joy is not a lavish feast, but seeing their children and grandchildren grow up, be filial, and the family reunited.
Beyond being a private family celebration, the Lunar New Year longevity celebration has become an annual event in localities throughout Nghe An province. During this time, 100% of hamlets, villages, and communities organize longevity celebrations for elderly people aged 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, and over 100 years old. The ceremonies are meticulously prepared, solemn, meaningful, economical, yet warm, reflecting the beautiful tradition of "respecting the elderly and valuing longevity" of the Vietnamese people.
In Tay Thinh hamlet, Dong Loc commune, the atmosphere of celebrating longevity was lively and joyful right from the first days of the new year. This year, the entire hamlet has 21 elderly people celebrating their longevity, the oldest of whom is 102 years old. Longevity greeting cards, meaningful gifts, and best wishes were personally handed to the elderly amidst the shared joy of the neighbors.
Mr. Hoang Van Phuong shared: “I am 80 years old this year, and I am very happy that I still have enough health to celebrate my birthday with the elders and my children and grandchildren. I feel very honored, proud, and moved to have the local government, the commune, the village, the people, and my children and grandchildren organize such a solemn birthday celebration for me. This is a great show of care and encouragement that helps us live happily, healthily, and usefully for society...”
According to Mr. Luong The Trong, Head of the Fatherland Front Committee of Tay Thinh hamlet, Dong Loc commune, the longevity celebration is not only an occasion to honor the elderly but also contributes to strengthening community bonds and consolidating national unity. This is a beautiful tradition, demonstrating the concern of the Party, the State, and the local government for the elderly. It is also an opportunity for children, relatives, and neighbors to meet and share the joy of the new year.
Meanwhile, in Tan Phuong block, Truong Vinh ward, 15 elderly people were celebrated for their longevity this New Year, with the oldest being 95 years old. Mr. Nguyen Van Nhac - Secretary of the Party Branch and Head of Tan Phuong block, Truong Vinh ward, said: "The Party Committee proactively developed a plan early on, organizing a solemn longevity celebration in accordance with regulations, ensuring it was practical and meaningful."
Honoring the role of the elderly.
The Lunar New Year celebration for the elderly is an activity that affirms the status and role of senior citizens in the family and community. Many elderly people, despite their advanced age, actively participate in social work, contribute ideas to building cultural life in their residential areas, and educate their children and grandchildren to preserve family traditions and customs.
Mr. Cao Dang Vinh, Chairman of the Nghe An Provincial Association of the Elderly, affirmed: “The celebration of longevity is specifically regulated by the Law on the Elderly. Those who reach 100 years of age will receive congratulations and gifts from the President. Those who reach 90 years of age will receive congratulations and gifts from the Chairman of the People's Committee of the province or centrally-governed city. For milestones of 70, 75, 80, 85, 95, and over 100 years of age, the responsibility for organizing the event rests with the People's Committee at the commune level, in coordination with the local Association of the Elderly and the family. Associations of the Elderly at all levels actively advise and coordinate with Party committees and authorities to organize the event in a solemn and proper manner. This is an opportunity to encourage the elderly to live happily, healthily, and contentedly, and to continue contributing to their families and society.”
In the context of modern life with its many changes, maintaining the custom of celebrating longevity at the beginning of the year is even more meaningful. It is not only an expression of gratitude to previous generations, but also a vivid lesson about filial piety, solidarity, and responsibility to family and community for the younger generation.
In the warm atmosphere of the early days of the new year, when children and grandchildren gather around their grandparents and parents, the longevity celebration becomes a sacred moment that connects generations, making the spring season more complete and meaningful.
