International students celebrate Tet away from home for the first time, what to do to ease homesickness?

(NLDO) - In a foreign land, just seeing a mai branch, hearing a Vietnamese accent, or seeing ao dai fluttering by is enough to feel the scent of spring has arrived.

The first year celebrating Lunar New Year in Japan, Tuyet Anh (20 years old) celebrated the traditional New Year in a relaxed mood. For more than half a year, she has maintained the habit of cooking at home, more than 80% of which are Vietnamese dishes.

"Nowhere is as good as the taste of home. Although Japan does not have many Lunar New Year activities like other countries, I can still create the atmosphere through some simple activities such as making lucky money envelopes, writing calligraphy, cooking, taking Tet photos with Ao Dai, etc." - Tuyet Anh said.

Vietnamese people participate in spring activities in Amagasaki city, Japan

The atmosphere became more bustling with the appearance of the calligrapher.

A simple offering tray with sticky rice, fruit and a few branches of snow mai flowers is enough to warm the hearts of Vietnamese living far away from home.

Before New Year's Eve, Tran Thanh Tuan (18 years old), studying hotel and restaurant management in Taiwan (China) shared very emotionally: "For Tuan, Tet is not only an occasion for family reunions and having fun with friends, but it is also the death anniversary of his parents."

Tuan wrote on Facebook: "For the first time in my life, this year I celebrate Tet away from home, away from my family, and also the first time I cannot attend my father's death anniversary. Amidst the bustling atmosphere of spring days, my heart is heavy. On the second day of Tet this year, in Tra Vinh province, my mother and siblings must be preparing everything for my father's death anniversary."

Tuan imagined his mother busily cleaning the altar, carefully arranging his father’s favorite dishes. The full meal every year was not only to pay homage to his father, but also a symbol of love and family bond. In a foreign land, Tuan could only sit quietly at his desk, lighting an incense stick in his heart.

"In the morning, I called home. Through the phone screen, I saw my mother burning incense, her eyes looked tired but still shining with resilience. She told me to focus on my studies, my father would definitely be proud. Each word made me understand how sacred the feelings of family and homeland are at the time of transition from the old year to the new year" - Tuan said softly.

After school, Tuan works extra to earn money to cover living expenses and reduce economic pressure on his mother.

Although every year I celebrate Tet with my family in An Giang province, this year Phan Nguyen Uyen Thanh (19 years old) has very special feelings. "2025 is a very important year for Thanh, her 19-year-old dream of studying in Taiwan (China) is about to come true. This means that next year and the next few years, it will be very difficult for Thanh to celebrate a complete Tet holiday" - Thanh expressed.

For the little girl, Tet is not only the time of transition between the old year and the new year, but also the moment for her to realize the value of family, love, and attachment to her homeland. Thanh is proud to be Vietnamese, with her own cultural traditions.

"No matter how far I go, the image of Tet at home will always be an unforgettable part of my heart" - Thanh confided.

This year, Uyen Thanh took the opportunity to capture moments of spring joy with the Vietnamese ao dai before leaving for study abroad.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-hoc-sinh-lan-dau-don-tet-xa-lam-gi-de-do-nho-nha-196250129060321816.htm