Vietnamese Communities in Russia, the United States, Canada, and Poland Celebrate the Lunar New Year of Binh Ngo 2026
	Celebrating the Lunar New Year on Truong Sa Island

What touches the hearts of these “friends from afar” is not anything elaborate, but rather the simple values at its core: warm New Year’s wishes, plentiful family meals, and the moments when generations gather together before the ancestral altar.

Eighteen years ago, Anna Kajan (60, Finland) welcomed her first spring in Vietnam with a sense of unfamiliarity. During those early days of the new year, the house she rented was constantly visited by guests. “Colleagues brought along green leaf-wrapped cylindrical cakes that made me very curious. From initial surprise, I learned how to wrap the cakes and asked about the meaning of each ritual. Gradually, Vietnamese Tet became a warm memory in my heart,” she shared.

After more than eight years living in Da Nang, Phil Cal, a retired American dentist, also cannot hide his joy whenever Tet is mentioned. What he loves most is the year-end gathering of his residential neighborhood, where neighbors come together to chat, sing karaoke, and share dishes. “At that moment, I feel that I am part of the community,” he confided.

Phil Cal (far left) wearing an áo dài and posing for a commemorative photo during Tet. (Photo: Da Nang Newspaper)

For Joummaly Souksawai, a Lao student studying at the University of Education (University of Da Nang), Tet represents a blend of modern rhythms and the distinctive tranquility of the coastal city. “What I remember most is the friendly smiles of the people. I feel as though I am at home,” Joummaly said.

Beyond its communal spirit, Vietnamese Tet also leaves a strong impression because of its cultural depth, particularly the bonds of family and gratitude toward ancestors. For Darbsipai Narongchai (44, Thailand), nearly nine Vietnamese springs have become a natural part of life. While he once found customs such as New Year greetings and lucky money unfamiliar, they have now become intimate traditions. What moves him most is the early-year visit to family graves. “My country also remembers the deceased, but the way the entire family carries out this act together at the beginning of the year allows me to clearly feel the connection between generations,” he shared.

Joseph Ryan Kern (44, United States) likens the Lunar New Year to a combination of Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year celebrations. Yet after three years living in Vietnam, he realized that the difference lies not in parties or gifts, but in the rhythm of reunion that lasts for days. “The most important thing is not what you receive, but that you are present beside the people you love,” he said.

Alexander, 34, a Russian writer who has lived in Vietnam for five years, considers Vietnamese Tet both familiar and profound. In Russia, the New Year tends to focus on entertainment and festivities, whereas in Vietnam, togetherness and reunion take precedence. “I enjoy preparing traditional dishes with the family, even though wrapping bánh chưng remains a challenge. And I love standing among the crowds along the Han River, realizing that I am part of spring,” he shared.

Australian author Ray Kuschert, who has lived in Vietnam for more than a decade, believes that the “secret” to enjoying Tet is to slow down. When major cities grow quiet due to waves of people returning to their hometowns, it becomes a rare opportunity to experience a different Vietnam - deep, peaceful, and rich in family values. Ray once misunderstood the meaning of lucky money, but after many years, he came to see it as a gesture of community sharing, a way of offering hope and new beginnings.

Author Ray Kuschert and his wife pose for a photo during the Year of the Horse Tết 2026. (Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper)

Kenji Otsuka (61, Japan) is particularly impressed by the eager anticipation with which Vietnamese people welcome Tet. According to him, although both Vietnam and Japan celebrate the New Year, the Vietnamese dedicate a deeper reverence to their traditional New Year, reflected in the vibrant atmosphere of preparation and the emotions spreading throughout the streets.

Quentin Lechasles (26, France) feels that Vietnamese Tet brings him emotions similar to Christmas in his hometown of Normandy, where families gather, anticipate, and prepare for weeks. “The core values of Vietnamese Tet that I perceive are family, gratitude, and connection. That helps me understand and appreciate Vietnamese culture more deeply,” he said.

Basketball and pickleball coach Philip McCargo (United States) also believes that the most precious aspect of Vietnamese Tet is its tradition. “The deep attachment Vietnamese people have to family and ancestors truly makes me admire them. Tradition is the foundation that shapes a person,” he shared.

Amid the crowds welcoming the New Year are people of different nationalities who share the same emotion. For those who have come from distant lands, Tet is not only the beginning of a new year, but also an occasion to cherish family and feel that they belong. The flavor of Vietnamese Tet thus not only stirs longing among those far from home, but also touches the hearts of international friends, becoming a cultural bridge that connects people from all corners of the world.

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