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Jason Fizzard, his wife, and their son on Quy Nhon beach. Photo T.X |
They are foreigners who love the cultural features of Tet (lunar New Year) holiday in Vietnam. When Tet is coming, they decided to stay in Quy Nhon to enjoy its atmosphere instead of traveling.
1. To most foreigners, the most impressive feature of traditional Lunar New Year is the New Year’s Eve when members of families gather to celebrate Tet.
Tobias Barisch, a German, has greeted Tet in Quy Nhon for five years. Thanks to his Vietnamese wife, he knows much about Tet. Often, they stay in Quy Nhon to welcome Tet.
“My wife and I always prepare Tet together,” he said. “I’m ‘assigned’ to buy flower. Last year, I bought a beautiful but expensive peach blossom perhaps because I don’t know how to bargain. I also burn incense on the altar, praying for good fortune.”
He has many friends in Quy Nhon because he has lived here for a long time. He often spends time visiting his friends’ families during the Tet holiday.
Jason Fizzard, who is teaching at Quy Nhon University, has celebrated Tet in Quy Nhon twice. He often visits his students’ houses on these days and enjoys the cozy atmosphere in Vietnamese families. “I’m warmly welcomed everywhere and everyone gives me best wishes,” he said.
Each has their own favorite dishes as many of them have lived in Quy Nhon for years. Tobias likes banh tet (cylindric glutinous rice cake filled with green bean and fat pork). “But I like crispy fried banh tet most,” he said.
Jason’s favorite dishes are banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), banh tet, and dua kieu (vegetable pickles). He is always invited to enjoy the dishes on visiting any students’ houses. “When eating dua kieu for the first time, I didn’t like it due to its taste,” Jason said. “But now I’m addicted to it, waiting for Tet to enjoy my favorite dishes. Students often present these to me after Tet, but I still like banh it la gai (three-cornered patty covered with pinnate leaves) most.”
2. Those who have just come to Quy Nhon also have their own thoughts. Michael Eckfor, a VSA volunteer, has lived in Quy Nhon for five months. “I don’t know much about Tet in Vietnam, but I think it’s quite similar to Tet in China,” he said. “People gather together during Tet and there are three days: one for family, one for friends, and one for teachers.”
Michael is eager to celebrate Tet in Vietnam this year. He loves watching outside performances; therefore, he wished to enjoy the celebration of Ngoc Hoi-Dong Da victory. “I know your country has the tradition of li xi (give money as a New Year’s Day present) during Tet, but I won’t do it. I’ll present gifts in the upcoming Tet instead,” he said. “The information on cultural events is only for the locals. Foreigners living in Quy Nhon don’t know where to go on these days because there is no information in English.”
3. The coastal city of Quy Nhon leaves a good impression on foreigners. Tobias said he would go to Thailand in two weeks. He felt sad and pity because he couldn’t enjoy Tet in Quy Nhon. “I don’t know if there is any banh chung or banh tet left when coming back,” he said.
His families often walk along the beach in the previous Tet holidays. He likes to live in Quy Nhon because it’s peaceful and friendly. Once, he and his family celebrated Tet in HCM City, but it’s too bustling. They then returned to Quy Nhon.
“My family and I only like to live in Quy Nhon,” Tobias said. “Hopefully, I won’t be busy next year to enjoy my dishes during Tet.”
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