(VOVworld)- In recent days, more and more overseas Vietnamese have been returning home to celebrate the traditional lunar new year festival. This is a time for them to reunite with their families, remember national traditions and enjoy the fruits of the nation’s recent achievements.

It’s easy to appreciate how happy these overseas Vietnamese are to return home again. 83-year-old Le Van Duyen, who has been living in the US for more than 30 years, says he returns home to celebrate Tet almost every year. Every time, he relives his memories of the homeland in the cozy embrace of relatives and friends. “I’m very happy to return home to see my friends. Though I live far away from my homeland, I’m never far from my ancestors. We always maintain with the Vietnamese tradition and culture”, said Mr. Duyen.

Nguyen Dich Hoan, a Vietnamese living in Japan, has returned home for Tet after a half century of living far away. He says only the homeland has the authentic soul and identity of traditional Tet. Hoan says: “Vietnamese people have a special feeling for Tet. This is the day of family reunions. I still remember my parents dressing me beautifully and standing behind them to offer incense to my ancestors. On that day I received a lot of lucky money and met my relatives. This is my first Tet at home since I went abroad to study in 1965. I’m very moved and excited. It’s great to celebrate the lunar new year at home in the traditional way.

Le Kim Oanh, a Vietnamese who lives in Germany shares her joy at welcoming Tet at home: “I have lived in Germany for 6 years, but I’ve spent only one Tet there. It’s very wonderful to spend Tet at home because Tet in Vietnam is very exciting”.

Many overseas Vietnamese shared their pleasures at the country’s development. Nguyen Thi Hoa who lives in Ukraine, says: “I have celebrated Tet with my family in Vietnam 6 times. I see that the country has developed rapidly and become more prosperous. Thanks to the State’s attention to overseas Vietnamese, we don’t see any differences between us and people in the homeland. Travel has become easier and we often communicate, so I feel very close to the homeland”.

Overseas Vietnamese who cannot return home for Tet celebrate the New Year at embassies where they make square sticky rice cakes and worship their ancestors together. The traditional lunar New Year is important for every Vietnamese, but especially for thos ewho live far away from the homeland.