Around 1,000 Overseas Vietnamese Delegates to Attend Series of Tet Programs in Ho Chi Minh City
	Tet for Flood-Affected Communities: Caring for Tet for Residents in Bac Ninh, Khanh Hoa, and Son La

According to the French Embassy in Vietnam, on January 23, Ambassador Olivier Brochet wore a traditional Vietnamese ao dai while visiting the Temple of Literature, personally experiencing calligraphy writing, beating the thunder drum, and offering incense in commemoration of the revered educator Chu Van An. Within the setting of “Vietnam’s first university,” the Ambassador was introduced to the history of the Temple of Literature, the imperial Huong and Hoi examinations in Vietnamese history, as well as reconstructions of the examination tents and desks once used by scholars of the past.

The Ambassador also took part in the tradition of requesting calligraphic characters from calligraphy masters during Tet, visited calligraphy displays and an exhibition themed “Horses come to the streets” on the occasion of the Binh Ngo Spring, and expressed his strong impression of the historical values and profound cultural traditions preserved at the Temple of Literature.

Video clip of French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet experiencing Vietnamese culture at the Temple of Literature (Source: French Embassy in Vietnam)

Looking back on 2025, Ambassador Olivier Brochet noted that the year marked many significant milestones in Vietnam-France relations, most notably the State visit to Vietnam by French President Emmanuel Macron and the First Lady in May 2025. He expressed his hope that in 2026, cooperation between the two countries would continue to be strongly promoted, building on the projects and initiatives implemented over the past year.

According to the Ambassador, the humanistic foundation, rooted in affection and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, is the most solid basis for Vietnam and France to work toward a shared and sustainable future. From a personal perspective, he emphasized that Vietnam-France relations are first and foremost built on sincere bonds; history, despite its complex periods, has created enduring connections between the two nations.

On the occasion of the upcoming Tet, Ambassador Olivier Brochet extended his best wishes to the Vietnamese people and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to visit a symbolic site associated with many historical values and the rich cultural traditions of Vietnam.

In an interview with People’s Public Security Newspaper, South African Ambassador to Vietnam Vuyiswa Tulelo shared her deep affection for Vietnamese Tet. She noted that learning about the Lunar New Year holds special significance, as she recognizes many similarities in the ways Vietnamese people and South Africans honor their ancestors and prepare for a new beginning.

According to the Ambassador, the Vietnamese practice of returning to their hometowns, expressing gratitude, worshipping ancestors, introducing new family members, and passing down culture to younger generations feels deeply familiar to her. In her homeland, although such practices do not take place on a national scale, small communities continue to maintain similar traditions.

“I still remember my first Lunar New Year, when someone patiently explained the rituals to me, from cleaning the house to ward off misfortune, to the careful consideration given to choosing the first visitor to the home on the first day of the new year. It is a way of welcoming positive energy for the entire year.

To me, this reflects a very beautiful philosophy: preserving heritage while moving toward the future. We are not separated from the past, but neither do we allow the past to hold us back. We learn from what has gone before in order to do better in the years ahead,” Ambassador Vuyiswa Tulelo shared.

She also emphasized that Tet is a very natural way to introduce Vietnamese culture to the world, helping international friends gain a deeper understanding of family values, cuisine, traditional attire, and intergenerational bonds, rather than relying on overly simplified general perceptions.

The South African Ambassador also participated in community activities, cooking, cleaning, and spending time with local residents. According to her, at times, presence and direct sharing can be more meaningful than material contributions, as this is where genuine connections are truly formed.

On the occasion of the New Year, Ambassador Vuyiswa Tulelo extended her best wishes to the Vietnamese people for a warm, peaceful, and joyful Tết, while expressing her hope that the South Africa-Vietnam friendship would continue to be nurtured through trust, closeness, and people-to-people connections between the two nations.

US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Melissa A. Brown experiences wrapping banh chung at the competition under the guidance of Pham Thi Dong. (Photo: US Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City)

Melissa A. Brown, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, also contributed to the lively Tet atmosphere by personally taking part in wrapping banh chung at the Traditional Rice Cake Wrapping Competition, held on January 26 at a vocational secondary school. The competition was jointly organized by the Saigontourist Vocational College of Tourism and Hospitality, the Trade Union of Saigon Tourist Corporation One Member Limited Liability Company, the US Meat Export Federation (USMEF), the Indiana Soybean Alliance, and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council. The event has been maintained for eight consecutive years on the occasion of Tet and the Lunar New Year.

Under the guidance of Pham Thi Dong - lecturer in charge of Northern Vietnamese cuisine and gold medalist at the 2019 banh chung wrapping and cooking competition, Melissa A. Brown personally practiced each step of the process, from arranging dong leaves, adding glutinous rice, mung beans, and US pork ribs into the mold, to folding the leaves and tying the bamboo strings to ensure the cake’s square shape.

According to Pham Thi Dong, the use of US pork ribs helps prevent the filling from becoming dry, creating a texture that is both tender and slightly crisp, with a sweeter flavor, while still preserving the familiar taste of traditional banh chung. This is also why the school chose this ingredient, ensuring quality while offering participants a fresh culinary experience.

Sharing her thoughts at the event, Melissa A. Brown expressed her delight at personally wrapping banh chung, noting that the activity was not only a culinary experience but also a vivid illustration of cultural exchange and the strong cooperation between Vietnam and the US, where the essence of Vietnamese cuisine is connected with US agricultural products.

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