[Photos] Foreign Ambassadors Experience Vietnamese Tet
The traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, imbued with Vietnamese identity, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of foreign diplomats in Vietnam.
Norwegian and Bristish diplomats experienced some customs during the Lunar New Year in Vietnam.
 |
| Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken and her family ask for calligraphy in Vietnamese in Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam or Temple of Literature. Photo: VNA |
 |
| The tradition of collecting letters has become part of Vietnamese culture whenever the Lunar New Year arrives. Photo: VNA |
 |
| The Norwegian Ambassador asks for “Xanh” (green) calligraphy, which symbolises hope for peace in the world, especially in the context of formidable challenges around the globe. Photo: VNA |
 |
| Through the calligraphy, the Ambassador expects that Vietnam and Norway will see further cooperation in the fields of green economy, the circular economy, and energy transition. Photo: VNA |
 |
| She also asks for “Hanh Phuc” (Happiness) calligraphy to have happiness year-round. Photo: VNA |
 |
| Decorating home with apricot blossoms for Tet. Source: Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi |
 |
| This will be the first Tet in Vietnam for her and family. Source: Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi |
 |
| "Tet is a time for peace and love, and I wish the Vietnamese people a joyful and relaxing Tet with the people they love, savouring traditional foods and reflecting on achievements in the past year and goals for the next. I know the setence 'Chúc mừng Năm mới' in Vietnamese. But I am also practicing a longer sentence 'I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous year of the cat!' the ambassador shared with the World and Vietnam Report. |
 |
| Bristish Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew also embraced the pre-Tet spirit. Source: Bristish embassy in Vietnam |
 |
| He learns how to make Banh Chung or squared sticky rice cake. Source: Bristish embassy in Vietnam |
 |
| Dressed in ao dai, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emily Hamblin and members of the consulate came to visit the Vietnamese New Year Festival at the Thanh Nien Cultural House. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
 |
| She was appointed as British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City on September 22, 2020, as one of the youngest Consul General among foreign diplomats working in Ho Chi Minh City. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
 |
| The British Consul General is very fond of Vietnamese calligraphy writing. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
 |
| Accompanying Emily on her spring trip was British Deputy Consul General - Sam Wood. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
 |
| He also enjoyed the colorful and bustling scene of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival, besides the traditional calligraphy writing. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
 | Hai Phong: Discover The Best Destinations For Taking Instagrammable Tet Photos At the end of the year, when the Tet holiday in Vietnam is coming close, Hai Phong, “the city of red phoenix flowers” is bustling ... |
 | Vietnamese Culture Shines in France On January 14, the Association for the Promotion of Vietnamese Culture (APCV) organized a special cultural and artistic program in Paris. This is one of ... |
 | How To Celebrate Tet Like A Vietnamese: A Helpful Guide for Expats Tet is a special occasion for Vietnamese and preparing for the holiday is even more important than the holiday itself. |
Related Stories
Multimedia
1,000 Women in Traditional Ao Dai Form Vietnam Map at Hoan Kiem Lake
A thousand women in Ao Dai (traditional long dress) paraded through Hanoi and formed a map of Vietnam on March 29 to celebrate Ao Dai Week, an initiative by the Vietnam Women's Union.
March 31, 2025 | 19:06
Overseas Vietnamese
Ao Dai on Film: New Documentary Showcases Vietnam's Tradtional Clothing
The movie "The Long Dress" is a journey across cities and continents, where the Vietnamese Ao Dai is not only a traditional dress but also a means of cultural expression. This documentary explores how Ao Dai helps Vietnamese people around the world connect with their heritage and realizing their own identity.
February 21, 2025 | 08:56
Friendship
International Friends Enchanted by Vietnamese Culture
The growing strength of international cultural exchange poses numerous challenges to local cultures. However, such exchanges also provide an opportunity to showcase the beauty of Vietnamese culture, as more international friends become devoted to preserving and spreading the traditions of Vietnam.
January 24, 2025 | 12:16
Viet's Home
Vietnamese Calligraphy Exhibition Highlights Literary Masterpieces
More than 30 calligraphy works are on display at the Temple of Literature in Ha Noi, inspired by literary masterpieces.
November 06, 2024 | 10:57
Recommended
Friendship
UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Speaks Highly of Vietnam's UXO Clearance Efforts
Speaking at a press briefing in Hanoi on June 13, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix commended Vietnam’s efforts in addressing post-war consequences and contributing to UN peacekeeping activities.
June 14, 2025 | 20:42
Friendship
New Administrative Building - Vietnam's Gift of Friendship to Cambodian National Assembly
On June 12, in Phnom Penh, the Cambodian National Assembly held a ceremony to inaugurate its new administrative building, funded by Vietnam. A representative of the Cambodian National Assembly emphasized that the building is a profound symbol of friendship and cooperation, gifted by the Party, State, and people of Vietnam to the Cambodian National Assembly and its citizens.
June 14, 2025 | 20:08
Focus
Effective Coordination in Promoting People-to-people Exchange between Vietnam and RoK
On June 11 in Hanoi, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son received and worked with Ambassador of the Republic of Korea (RoK) to Vietnam Choi Young Sam. The two sides agreed on continuing coordination to enhance people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and the RoK.
June 12, 2025 | 21:11
Friendship
Strengthening People-to-People Diplomacy in Science and Technology in Vietnam
On the morning of June 9, 2025, the opening session of the "Advanced Summer School in Quantum Field Theory and Quantum Gravity 2025" was held, gathering more than 60 leading scientists in the field, young researchers, and doctoral students from 22 countries and territories around the world. Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Dong Huy Cuong attended and delivered a speech at the opening session.
June 12, 2025 | 11:10
Popular article
Friendship
Vietnam - Russia Relations Continue to Substantially Develop on Basis of Trust and Friendship
On June 10, the Union of Friendship Organizations in Ho Chi Minh City and the Vietnam - Russia Friendship Association of the city held a meeting to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the National Day of the Russian Federation (June 12, 1990 - June 12, 2025).
June 11, 2025 | 15:06
Friendship
Promoting Cooperation between Thai Nguyen and Gyeongsangbuk-do (RoK)
Over the past 20 years, the two provinces have made significant strides in cultural and educational exchanges, as well as in the development of economic, social, environmental, and community welfare cooperation.
June 11, 2025 | 12:48
Friendship
Vietnamese Representative Missions Introduce Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space to Int'l Friends
An international workshop themed "Ho Chi Minh Cultural Space at Vietnamese Representative Missions Abroad" was held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on June 9, 2025.
June 10, 2025 | 21:29
Friendship
Vietnamese Seafood First Time Promoted at Prague Food Culture Festival
For the first time, Vietnam’s signature seafood products were prominently showcased to the Czech public at the Prague 2025 Food and Culture Festival—an international event of grand scale that drew over 20,000 visitors.
June 10, 2025 | 15:29