I will both work and enjoy Tet holiday in Vietnam
Regional Technical Advisor, Southeast Asia Region Pharmaceutical Management for Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a nonprofit organisation strengthening health programmes worldwide, Andy Barraclough spoke to VOVNews on his way to celebrate the Tet holiday in Vietnam.
Dr Barraclough said he spent only one year living and working in Vietnam. However, he has been in Asia for more than 20 years and his wife is Thai so he was very familiar with Lunar New Year Festival.
“I believe that this year will enter the Year of Dog, it is a special time for me because my wife is a dog in Chinese”, he said. “I hope that the New Year will bring us a better time”.
Last Tet holiday he was in Indonesia for his relief programme. He plans to enjoy this Tet in Hanoi while continuing to work during Tet because he can get more concentration in a silent office. “I will continue to work and enjoy street celebrations around the lakes”, he said.
Dr Barraclough was very impressed with Vietnam’s custom of worshipping ancestors during Tet.
“I saw Vietnamese people burning votive paper for kitchen gods and we do it at home as well for Lunar New Year”, he said. “In London, on Tet holiday, we often prepare gifts and offerings. We usually get up early in the morning to prepare for Tet and gather in our house and take photographs. However, in western countries, the New Year Festival is connected to celebrations, not religion, while in Asian countries, especially in Vietnam, Tet is a family-oriented festival.”
Mr Barraclough highlighted the socio-economic achievements Vietnam has recorded in recent years. “The country is experiencing a huge economic growth. Vietnam has made great achievements in poverty reduction”, he said.
I am looking to have a Vietnamese Tet holiday on a beach in Nha Trang
Senior Technical Officer for Treatment and Care for Family Health International (FHI) Rachel Burdon said: “I see Vietnamese Tet is a colourful and exciting event. I will stay in Hanoi two or three days before Tet and plan to spend Tet holiday in Nha Trang. I am looking to have a Vietnamese Tet holiday on a beach”.
Ms Burdon has been working in Vietnam for nine months as a medical doctor in an American NGO, focusing on reproductive health and HIV. She felt happy to work in the country.
Talking about Vietnamese customs during Tet, she said: “The first person who cross the door to enter the house is very lucky and important. Vietnamese people often give each other lucky money in a red envelope. My parents lived in Singapore for three years and they also celebrate Lunar New Year there”.
Ms Burdon also expressed her love for flowers during Tet. “In Hanoi, I like the kumquat trees. There are many people who grow kumquat trees near where I live in Hanoi. Vietnamese Tet is similar to Christmas in my country, Australia, when people gather for home reunion and pay attention to religious activities.”
“I am very impressive with Vietnam's rapid economic development in recent years. I think Vietnam is leaving behind its state of being a developing country. People are working very hard here and are very motivated. There are also many resources here and population is large enough to develop all resources. Furthermore, Vietnam has great potential for tourism development, as well as many industries.“
My best memories of Tet is when I give envelops to children
In-country manager Vietnam of the University of New South Wales Don Evans said he has enjoyed eight Tet festivals in Vietnam. He can speak Vietnamese fluently. He often celebrates Tet with his friends in different locality in Vietnam such as Cuu Long, An Giang, Hanoi and many other places. “I like the weather in the south because it is warm”, he said.
He said he often sit up late into midnight to enjoy the atmosphere of Lunar New Year’s Eve in the south. He likes peach in the north and apricot in the south. On the occasion of Tet, he often goes to pagodas in An Giang, Binh Duong and Da Nang.
“This Tet, I might go to my homeland. If I stay in Vietnam, I will enjoy Tet in the south as I have a lot of friends.” he said.
“The traffic system in Vietnam is good. The standards of education at some universities are very high and Vietnamese students are excellent.”
I will enjoy Tet with my Vietnamese wife's family
Taliesin Porter is an English teacher for Austil centre in Vietnam. He has been teaching English in Vietnam for five and a half years.
Talking about Tet, he said “Tet is a time for family to get together. I have been married for three years and now I enjoy Tet with my Vietnamese wife's family. My favourite food during Tet is chicken and I will buy chicken from supermarkets for this Tet. My father and mother-in-law often do decorations for Tet with a beautiful kumquat tree and peach blossom. I am looking forwards to Tet very much, especially the first three days of Tet. We often walk around Hoan Kiem Lake to watch fireworks and enjoy the warm atmosphere of Tet. I hate drinking too much. I like the weather in Hanoi during Tet because it is nice and warmer than in my native land, Britain. I also want to see pagodas during Tet. Many people go to pagodas on this occasion. Tet in Vietnam is a spiritual festival”.
He said Vietnam has changed so much over the past years. “The streets are busier and many buildings are rising higher. The country is moving forwards very quickly at the moment”.
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