Vietnamese people around the world are busy welcoming the New Year.

New Year is a time for family reunions, but for many Vietnamese living far from home, this is also the busiest time for work.

destined to be togetherwith her German husband and settled abroad for 4 years now,older sisterLe Minh Thuat, in Stuttgart, Germany,has fully integrated into life in Europe.

Ms. Le Minh Thuat (far right) and her husband's family members. Photo: NVCC

"Only during Lunar New Year do I feel homesick to the point of longing," but for her, New Year is truly the New Year of the indigenous people. She, her husband and children bought a Christmas tree to decorate, made a turkey stuffed with bread, apples, raisins and baked it in the oven, then enjoyed it with red wine.

She also has the opportunity to gather and bond more with her husband's family on this occasion.Happy New Year's EveHer brother-in-law's family often holds barbecue parties. Before coming to join the fun, she does not forget to prepare signature dishes such as spring rolls to bring to invite everyone to enjoy.

Her brother-in-law owns a private mechanical workshop, so the German economy is always a topic of interest and heated discussion among family members at year-end parties. This year, Europe's leading economy has grown strongly., commodity prices and workers' wages also increased significantly, although there were no signs of overheating. These positive signals made family members excited and hopeful for a favorable new year.

The fun was lively with glasses of wine. Children were given a special drink called Kindergluhwein, a non-alcoholic hot wine. Like every year, this New Year's Eve, her family would go up the hill near their house to watch the city filled with the special and sacred sound of fireworks that only happens once a year. They also had fireworks ready to join in the New Year's atmosphere.

With Ms. Hai Ninh, in state Missouri, America, Christmas and New Year are also family times. Living 5 hours drive from her American husband's parents' house, but with busy work all year round, only at Christmas can she and her husband arrange time to visit their family.

Ms. Hai Ninh reunited with her parents and brothers-in-law on Christmas day. Photo: NVCC

In the cold weather of -20 degrees Celsius at the end of the year, she and her husband chose to welcome the new year at home instead of participating in outdoor activities. Her husband was the main person in charge of the dishes for the New Year's Eve party.

However, not all Vietnamese people abroad have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year in such a warm atmosphere.

Mr. Minh Duc, in New York, USA, worked until the last day of the year. The most vibrant city in the US has recently experienced many terrorist attacks, but despite all worries, people still focused on work and enthusiastically welcomed the upcoming New Year.

New York is famous for its countdown and crystal ball drop in Times Square, but Ducchoose a simple way to welcome the new year.

"On Christmas Eve, I meet relatives and friends, eat and give gifts to each other.As for New Year's Eve, I just plan to stay home and watch the countdown show on TV.", the young photographer said. "I miss home so much and want to go back to Vietnam to visit my family, but work is too busy, maybe this plan will be postponed until the end of next year."

Dai Viet, an architecture student in Moscow, Russia, is busy studying for his final exams. In the midst of the stressful exam season, students like Viet do not have much time to think about New Year's parties.

Dai Viet welcomes the new year with exams at school. Photo: NVCC

"On New Year's Eve, if I have time, I will invite my friends to Red Square to watch fireworks and music," Viet said.

Viet and his friends will wait until winter break next month, which is also the Lunar New Year in Vietnam, to gather together, make traditional dishes, and share their homesickness.

The closer to the end of the year,Hoang Thang, in Brisbane, Australia, is busier with the work of his Vietnamese roll restaurant chain.

"I never have time to celebrate Tet. I still go to work on the last day of the year and the first day of the new year, especially when some employees have asked for leave to return to Vietnam, so the work at the store is even busier," said Mr. Thang.

In addition to the official holiday of January 1, many people combine their vacation day with traveling, shopping, and eating out, soThese days, the number of customers coming to the restaurant where Mr. Thang works is very crowded.

Bustling scene at the Vietnamese restaurant where Mr. Hoang Thang works. Photo: NVCC

If he has time off, Mr. Thang will spend it recuperating, surfing the internet or going sightseeing around the city. "In the new year, I hope to have good health to complete my work and have time to travel to many places," he said.

According to VNE