Filipino teacher experiences heartwarming, family-centered Tet in Vietnam

Coming from a culture where life continues even during holidays, seeing an entire country slow down was both surprising and humbling.

As an ESL teacher and university lecturer, I have been living and working in Vietnam for about 13 years, while having celebrated Tet five times, mostly during my early years in Vietnam.

Some of those celebrations were in the countryside, which gave me a very different and more traditional perspective of the holiday.

I was surprised by the sense of respect tied to Tet such as respect for elders, for traditions, and for beginnings.

It really made me reflect on how important it is to intentionally make time for family and gratitude.

One of my strongest Tet memories was celebrating with a Vietnamese family in Quy Nhon, Gia Lai Province, south-central Vietnam, where I stayed for about a week.

It was my first time experiencing Tet from the inside, not as a foreigner observing, but as a guest welcomed into a home.

I experienced traditional meals prepared together, family prayers, visits to relatives, and the quiet warmth of evenings spent talking and laughing.

The Tet food that left the strongest impression on me was banh chung (square sticky rice cake) as it is not just about the taste, but the story behind it.

Knowing that families prepare it together, sometimes staying up late, wrapping and cooking it for hours, made me appreciate it more.

Every time I eat banh chung, I am reminded that food during Tet is not just food, it is tradition, patience, and love passed down through generations.

Also, what really touched me was the generosity. I even received li xi (lucky money) from one of the older brothers in the family.

It might seem simple, but it made me feel accepted and included.

That experience stayed with me because it showed me the heart of Vietnamese culture like hospitality, family, and sincerity.

I actually feel more connected during Tet.

Vietnam has become my second home, and this holiday reminds me of how much this country has given me.

Vietnam helped shape who I am today, not just as a teacher, but as a husband and a father.

Tet makes me pause and reflect on gratitude, belonging, and growth.

Instead of feeling isolated, I feel rooted.

Furthermore, honoring ancestors during Tet really makes me feel the holiday meaningful.

Seeing families clean their homes, prepare offerings, and take time to remember loved ones really surprised me.

It is a beautiful reminder that the past, present, and future are connected and that gratitude should always be part of new beginnings.

Enjoying Tet joyfully

During my early years in Ho Chi Minh City, I mostly stayed at home because I was still unfamiliar with the city and did not have many connections.

The city felt unusually quiet, almost empty, and even buying basic necessities meant traveling to downtown Ho Chi Minh City because most nearby stores were closed.

Over time, I learned that this ‘pause’ is intentional and once I understood that, I learned to respect and appreciate it rather than feel stressed by it.

After I got married and had a child, my priorities changed.

We started making it a point to travel outside the country during Tet, especially for our son.

We wanted him to experience the holiday as something joyful and exciting, rather than staying indoors while the city slows down.

Traveling has become our way of turning the holiday into a meaningful family experience.

Foreigners who will experience Tet in Vietnam for the first time should plan ahead and keep an open mind.

You should expect things to slow down, and instead of fighting it, embrace it.

It is vital and interesting to learn a bit about the traditions, accept invitations if offered, and use the time to reflect and rest.

Tet is not about convenience, but it is about connection.

Once you understand that, the experience becomes much richer.