Overseas Vietnamese communities worldwide celebrate Tet

* The celebration held by the Vietname Embassy in Singapore saw the participation of about 400 overseas Vietnamese, guests, and officials of Vietnamese representative agencies in the country and their families.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh emphasised the diversity, dynamism, creativity and close bond of the Vietnamese community in Singapore.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

He affirmed that the community's contributions not only tighten solidarity and mutual affection, but also affirm the special cultural features and traditional beauty of Vietnamese people in Singapore.

On this occasion, the ambassador awarded certificates of merit to 24 individuals and collectives who have made positive contributions to community activities in 2024.

* The Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual language school in Vientiane on January 20 organised an event for its teachers, students and their parents to jointly make “banh chung” (square glutinous rice cake) - a traditional dish of Vietnamese people on the occasion of Tet.

The school's principal Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong said that this is the third year the school has organised such event, which help students remember their roots and cultivate an awareness of preserving and sharing Vietnamese culture and traditions with their Lao friends, especially during the Lunar New Year.

Teachers and students at the Nguyen Du Lao-Vietnamese bilingual language school in Vientiane make "chung" cakes. (Photo: VNA)

The “banh chung” wrapping activity not only signifies love for the nation and the connection among people, but also helps to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural values within the community, contributing to bridging the gap between generations and connecting families and schools.

* Earlier, on January 19, the Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei held a homeland spring programme for Vietnamese people in the country and representatives from multicultural Vietnamese-Brunei families.

Overseas Vietnamese join the homeland spring programme in Brunei. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Tran Anh Vu highlighted Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements and the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Brunei across key areas such as politics-diplomacy, defence-security, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges.

He emphasised the positive development of bilateral economic-trade cooperation, noting that two-way trade reached over 600 million USD in the first 11 months of 2024, surpassing the target of 500 million USD by 2025, with significant contributions from businesses of both countries, including Vietnamese enterprises in Brunei.

The diplomat commended the Vietnamese community in Brunei for fostering solidarity and mutual support, particularly through practical activities such as helping compatriots affected by Typhoon Yagi. He expressed his hope that in 2025, overseas Vietnamese would continue to actively collaborate with the embassy to promote Vietnam-Brunei relations and effectively organise activities celebrating major national holidays.

At the event, the participants enjoyed New Year songs, joined contests about Vietnamese language and Vietnamese traditional Tet, and drawing for gifts, and enjoyed traditional Vietnamese dishes together.

* In Brussels, on January 19, the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, which is in charge of Luxembourg, organised a homeland spring programme. Featuring traditional Vietnamese music performances and culinary specialties, it attracted students, researchers, and members of the Vietnamese community from the two European nations.

In his opening speech, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao praised the strong and sustainable development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and Belgium, as well as the dynamic and effective ties with Luxembourg. Looking ahead, he pointed to the continued growth of Vietnam-EU relations and opportunities brought about by the upcoming visit of EU senior officials to Vietnam to mark the 35th anniversary of the two sides’ diplomatic relations.

* The same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, in collaboration with local organisations, held a Tet celebration with traditional folk games, musical performances, and a space for making banh chung – the square glutinous rice cake essential to Tet.

Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi noted that this year’s Tet coincides with the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950-2025). He encouraged the Vietnamese community in Russia to contribute to the development of both countries, fostering their enduring friendship and cooperation.

At the space for making banh chung – the square glutinous rice cake essential to Tet, as part of the celebration in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

* On January 18, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands hosted a similar Tet gathering, with Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam expressing his pride in the Vietnamese community’s efforts to preserve their culture. Ngo Thi Bich Ngoc, head of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Netherlands, expressed gratitude for the Vietnamese State’s attention to the community, always considering them an inseparable part of the nation.

* In Germany, the Vietnamese Embassy and the community also came together for a Tet celebration in Berlin, marking the beginning of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries (1975-2025). Ambassador Vu Quang Minh took this occasion to highlight the achievements of the Vietnamese community in Germany and their significant contributions to both nations’ development.

Florian Hauer, Berlin's State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs and International Relations, also commended the group’s role in enriching Berlin both economically and culturally, pointing to the success of their projects like the Dong Xuan centre.

* On January 17, the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia hosted a similar celebration. Ambassador Pham Truong Giang praised the community's dedication to supporting one another and contributing to Vietnam’s development, particularly in the wake of natural disasters. He also stressed the embassy’s continued focus on helping the community integrate into Slovak society.

The ancestral worship ceremony held as part of the Tet festival in Oxford, the UK. (Photo: VNA)

* In the UK, the Vietnamese Students Association in Oxford (VOX) organised a Tet festival, attracting professors, students, and researchers from across the European nation. This event, its fourth annual edition in Oxford, was the largest and most diverse yet, offering guests the chance to try traditional Tet staples, participate in folk games, and join in an ancestral worship ceremony led by Ambassador Do Minh Hung. The festival also included discussions on sustainable economic development in Vietnam and opportunities for young Vietnamese abroad to return home and make their contributions./.

Source: VNA