Tet of reunion or Tet of gathering, spanning thousands of years of the country's ups and downs, has never changed its meaning. Because only at Tet do people have the time to “slow down”, to calm their minds and reflect on the past year. Because only at Tet do we have the precious time to sit together with family, raise a glass of spring wine, enjoy a piece of crispy and sweet Tet jam, warm ourselves by the steaming pot of green banh chung on the red stove, listen to the crackling of New Year's Eve firecrackers, casting sparkling streaks of color, replacing distant stars, and lighting up the entire New Year's Eve sky. And, those wonderful moments are even more valuable, especially for children who live far from their homeland to make a living and build their careers in a foreign land.
Workers at the confectionery production factory of Bao Minh Confectionery Joint Stock Company, many of them are from other provinces
The atmosphere of Tet starts in a small corner of the office, in the production workshop, or in any workspace. As long as there are colleagues around, conversations about Tet back home begin with joy shining in the eyes, from a peach blossom branch blooming in a bright pink corner of the room, from Tet decorations that do not need to be too elaborate or luxurious; all of them ring a bell signaling, echoing in the mind.
Living far from home, everyone has their own feelings; living far from home, there is a lack of warmth spreading from the family, from the land where we were born, so sometimes catching an image that reminds us of home, our hearts cannot help but ache with longing. Tet is like an invisible thread connecting those who share the situation of living far from home, bringing everyone closer together, asking after each other with affectionate words that busy daily life often leaves us little time to remember: “Where is your hometown? Have you bought a ticket back yet? Have you bought anything as a gift for your family yet?...”. Those questions are simple but filled with warm affection; without anyone needing to prompt, our hearts secretly worry for the colleague next to us.
The Tet atmosphere stems from the workplace...
The atmosphere of Tet starts to spread in foreign lands, stirring up homesickness with the sound of vendors selling apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, kumquats, the sound of people asking to buy decorations, paper firecrackers, red envelopes, confectionery, wine, tea for guests, from the sound of children playing, laughing happily when buying toys, buying new clothes... noisy and bustling in a corner of the spring market, making us even more impatient, looking forward to the day to return home for Tet, to bow before the ancestral altar, to light a fragrant stick of incense to show respect to the generations of ancestors.
When work is finished, let us – those who are building our careers in foreign lands – return to our families soon, because one thing is certain: when we are eager to return home, it is also when hearts far away are waiting for us every second, every minute. And, because only when all members are present does Tet truly become complete.
The Tet atmosphere spreads on every street...
Roll up your sleeves to help your grandparents and parents tidy up the house neatly, repaint, and give the house a new look. Wake up early to go to the market with grandma and mom, one hand carrying sticky rice, the other pork, dong leaves, pickled onions... start the stove, watch the pot of banh chung boiling and fragrant, nibble on melon seeds, blend with the crackling sound of embers, share life stories with loved ones, ease the hardships and worries, meaningful.
For families with relatives working far away, Tet will truly begin when branches of apricot and peach blossoms bloom on the shoulders of children returning home after the door closes. There will be smiles and also happy tears in the eyes that already have many crow's feet, the tanned skin that has weathered too many storms of grandparents and parents. Or it could be a tight hug, a kiss on the cheek from children replacing the emotion of bursting into tears because of missing dad and mom so dearly that childhood cannot yet fully express in words.
Take time to clean and decorate the house for Tet with your family
Give your family the best things. Because Tet is sweet, Tet is for love!
