Due to time zone difference, Vietnam’s New Year’s Eve will be observed at noon in the east coast of the US. Although the temperature may drop to negative 20-30 degrees, the Tet atmosphere pervades everywhere as in the homeland.  

Although overseas Vietnamese in the US live far from the homeland, they enjoy the Tet atmosphere together with relatives and friends to bridge the distance in space and time. Although Tet will come in the next two days, Overseas Vietnamese in Los Angeles and California have already organized a fair in Phuoc Loc Tho trade centre at Bolsa in Little Saigon. On display are traditional products of Vietnam such as green bananas, conical hats, and peach and apricot trees. In addition, there will be music programmes, exhibitions, dragon dances and fashion shows of Vietnam’s traditional dress (ao dai) during the event.

San Jose City and Orange County are two localities where overseas Vietnamese have held various activities such as beauty pageants, sports competitions, parades and music programmes. Tony Hoang, a young overseas Vietnamese says although he has lived in the US for ten years, he can feel the warmth of Tet preparations in the homeland every time spring comes in the US.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in San Francisco has always paid special attention to the traditional Lunar New Year festival. Apart from Tet symbols such as peach and apricot blossoms, and conical hats, the organizing board has also invited art troupes from the homeland to conduct performances for overseas Vietnamese in the US to enjoy the culture of the homeland.

Thuy Duong, an accounting student from Iowa University, this is the first Tet she is away from her family but she feels happy to share the traditional festival with the Vietnamese community in the US.

Le Hai is very delight to see “banh chung” (square-shaped sticky rice cakes), and “banh tet” (cylindrical sticky rice cakes) and other Tet specialities on sale at many supermarkets. 

“This year, we will together share some traditional food to enjoy the full meaning of Tet as in the homeland.

Source: VOV