Tet, the lunar New Year festival, is incomplete without square sticky rice cakes, parallel sentences, dragon dances, and traditional dishes like fried spring rolls and pork paste. Nguyen Nhat Mai, a graduate student at the Australian National University, says she is missing her hometown and family as Tet arrives. 

"Although we are away from home during Tet, we feel warm at heart as we enjoy the Tet atmosphere together, taste the special Tet food, and contemplate the beauty of apricot blossoms," said Mai. 

For young overseas Vietnamese born and raised abroad, Tet is an opportunity to learn more about Vietnam’s culture and traditions. Pham Quynh Anh, a 4th year student at the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, said: "This is a great occasion for us to taste Vietnamese cuisine, make chung cakes, and take part in some traditional games of Vietnam." 

2020 Tet celebrations at the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia.

Pianist Le Anh Phi Phi is living in the Republic of Macedonia. He said Vietnamese families in Macedonia often gather to celebrate Tet together. They join each other in making square sticky rice chung cakes, chit-chat, and wish each other a new year full of health and luck.

Phan Anh Tuan lives in Australia but his heart and soul are with his family and friends back in Vietnam, especially during Tet.

"I hope all my family and friends will stay healthy in the new year and gain new successes. I also hope that Vietnam will have more achievements in all aspects of economics, politics, society, and its bilateral relations with Australia," said Tuan. 

As the new lunar year arrives, Nisshinkutsu, a Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo, has become more crowded with people who have come to pray for a happy new year and enjoy some Tet activities.