They are foreigners living and working in Binh Dinh. They share their view on Tet (Lunar New Year) festival with Binh Dinh Newspaper’s readers when the special event is coming.
Suh Joo Ree, a Korean International Cooperation Agency’s (KOICA) volunteer:
“Korean people enjoy Tet, which is called Seol, as the same time with Vietnamese people but our special holiday falls on 30th, 1st, and 2nd. We often spend much time on our family members and relatives. In Vietnam, as I see, Tet is not only for family or relatives but also friends and colleagues. They visit each other, extend Tet greetings, and go out together.
Ly, Suh Joo Ree’s Vietnamese name, teaching Korean language at Binh Dinh Vocational Training Collage, enjoyed the Tet holiday in Quy Nhon last year. She also visited and extended New Year greetings to some of her Vietnamese colleagues. When her friends working for KOICA in HCM City and Ha Noi came to see her, Ly hosted a party at home and made Korea’s traditional cake.
“We made this kind of cake by ourselves in Korea. When coming to Vietnam, we have to buy it at HCM City and Ha Noi’s supermarkets,” she said.
BARBARA DAWSON, owner of Barbara’s kiwi café and backpackers:
Barbara Dawson, a New Zealand woman, has enjoyed Tet for 15 years. She always spends the Tet holiday with her Vietnamese friends. Thao, a woman working at Barbara’s restaurant, said she often brings Barbara something when her family has a New Year’ Eve party.
“I ate banh chung (square glutinous rice cake), but I still prefer enjoying fish sauce and fresh seafood,” said Barbara. “Enjoying one more Tet here means that I’ve spent much more time in Quy Nhon, but I’ve never felt bored. I still remember the first time when I came here one week before Tet. What surprised me most at that time was that people eat and drink everywhere. Probably, I will return to New Zealand in a few years, but I will never forget the Tet atmosphere.”
ASHLEY HENNEKAM AND ANKE BOONE, working for Binh Dinh Water Supply and Sanitation Project”
Ashley Hennekam has enjoyed the Tet festival last year. “Most countries in Western Europe officially adopted January 1 as New Year's Day while Vietnamese people enjoy the Lunar New Year,” she said. “This is a chance for family members to gather and celebrate a new year. In Vietnam, people often pay respect to ancestors and go to pagodas to pray for those who passed away and wish that the best things will come true.”
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Ashley Hennekam (R) and Anke Boone (L)
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“After the Tet holiday, some men said they only eat, drink, and sleep during three days of Tet while women complained that they have to work harder. It would be fairer and more interesting if men and women changed their roles for a year,” she added.
Anke Boone who has just come to Vietnam for two weeks realized that all people are very busy preparing for Tet. “I’m very eager to experience the Tet atmosphere in Vietnam,” she said.
They will go to a pagoda on the occasion of the upcoming Tet holiday.
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