Westerners celebrate Tet in Nghe An.

(Baonghean) - For foreigners living and working in Nghe An, Lunar New Year is a special occasion to explore and experience the unique and interesting cultural life.

Taras Ivanov (Russian Federation, student of the Vietnamese Department, Vietnam National University, Hanoi):“I have visited Nghe An many times, including during Tet (Lunar New Year). I really enjoyed participating in making banh chung (traditional rice cakes) and coconut jam with family and friends in Que Phong district. I have visited some areas in western Nghe An, but unfortunately, I have never participated in any New Year festivals there. For Tet Binh Than (Year of the Monkey), I hope to be able to arrange time to participate in the spring festival, meet ethnic people, and learn about folk games, to broaden my cultural knowledge about western Nghe An.”

Taras Ivanov (right) and his Russian friends in traditional Vietnamese attire.

Dustin Gerding (American teacher at ASEM English Center):“I’ve lived in Nghe An for over two years, and I love the people and scenery of Nghe An. I’m excited to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year here. Last year, at midnight, I was already at Ho Chi Minh Square with a few close friends watching the fireworks and singing New Year's songs. I was particularly impressed with the Vietnamese custom of giving lucky money. I received lucky money from the parents of a friend, who wished me good things. This year, I plan to celebrate New Year's Eve again at Ho Chi Minh Square (Vinh City), then go to Nghi Loc to enjoy the New Year's party. I’ve prepared some new banknotes to give as lucky money to everyone.”

Dustin Gerding (third from the right) attends a year-end party in Nghe An.

John Perryman (US Veteran):“I was happy to explore Nghe An during the Lunar New Year, staying with locals and watching how they decorated and prepared for the new year. Unlike in the US, where we usually gather to eat and chat at restaurants and bars during Christmas and New Year, the spring atmosphere in Nghe An is truly warm. In the city, children dress up brightly and are taken by their parents to wish their neighbors, relatives, and loved ones a happy new year. Of all my travels, the most memorable thing for me is the innocent, radiant smiles of the children in the highlands, despite their many hardships.”

John Perryman with a Vietnamese student.

Sean Laurence (American teacher, teaching at Global English Center):“For me, Nghe An is the most wonderful place, because here, I married a beautiful, intelligent, and kind-hearted girl from Nghe An. This is the first year we're celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year together, so I'm incredibly excited. Waiting for the New Year's Eve with my wife's family, chatting about history and culture with the elders in her family – that will surely be a wonderful experience. I'm learning how to make spring rolls and other traditional dishes to cook for the New Year. At the beginning of the year, we plan to visit Pu Mat National Park. Regarding the Vietnamese custom of giving lucky money, I find it very interesting; it's similar to giving gifts at Christmas in the West. Along with that, everyone happily exchanges the warmest wishes.”

Sean Laurence with children from Nghe An.

Kim Ji Hong (South Korea, Restaurant Manager):“In Korea, we also celebrate Lunar New Year, but there are many cultural differences compared to Vietnam. For example, no one sleeps on New Year's Eve because people believe that if they sleep, their hair and eyelashes will turn white the next morning, and their minds will be dull and less clear. When offering sacrifices at the altar, Koreans place more than 20 dishes on the altar, such as ttok-kuk (a type of noodle soup), dumplings, cinnamon tea, and other traditional foods… But generally, just like in Vietnam, Tet is a time for family members to return home, reunite, and exchange loving wishes. This year, due to the nature of my work, I will be in Nghe An from the 4th day of Tet. With the similarities and unique aspects of Vietnamese culture compared to Korea, I am quite excited to celebrate the traditional Vietnamese New Year.”

Kim Ji Hong (right) at the awards ceremony for the first "I Love Korea" photo contest in Nghe An province.

Hoang Van (recorded)