Tet Nguyen Dan is not only the biggest holiday of the year for Vietnamese people but also a time for strengthening family and homeland bonds. However, for thousands of Vietnamese laborers working abroad, Tet becomes an emotional moment, where homesickness intertwines with the desire for a better life.
Touching Stories from Abroad
Doan Tuan Dat (residing in Quan Hau town, Quang Ninh district, Quang Binh province) has spent 14 consecutive years without returning home for Tet. After 9 years of working in Russia, he moved to Taiwan (China) five years ago. Despite having a stable job, every spring, he still feels a surge of emotion, remembering the Tet gatherings with his family.
“Seeing images of Tet shopping on social media, witnessing village roads adorned with colorful flags and flowers, my heart aches. I can only call to check on my relatives’ health, listening to their familiar voices to ease some of the homesickness,” Dat confided.
Not just Dat, Tran Vu Hoang (born 2000, residing in Quang Thuan ward, Ba Don town, Quang Binh province) also carries a profound longing for his homeland every Tet. Currently working in Japan, this is his third consecutive Tet without being reunited with his family.
“Here, we try to recreate the Tet atmosphere by making banh chung (sticky rice cakes) and cooking traditional dishes. The skilled girls even make candied fruits to create a cozy space, just like back home,” Hoang shared.
Vietnamese Tet Atmosphere Abroad
To alleviate homesickness, Vietnamese laborers abroad often organize gatherings, creating a Vietnamese Tet atmosphere in foreign lands. In Taiwan, Dat mentioned there’s a Quang Binh expatriate association where people support each other in work and life.
“We often gather to make banh chung, prepare feasts, and share joyful and sad stories. The association also carries out charitable activities, orienting towards the homeland, helping those in difficult circumstances,” Dat said.
In Japan, even though they don’t observe Tet according to the lunar calendar, laborers still try to make time to meet and share the joy of the New Year. “Despite the difficulties, we always find ways to preserve our national cultural identity,” Hoang emphasized.
Looking Towards Home, For a Brighter Future
According to statistics from the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs of Quang Binh province, approximately 30,000 people from this locality are working, studying, and living abroad. Each year, Quang Binh selects over 5,000 individuals for overseas employment.
Though each person has a unique situation, they all carry a deep desire for a better life and a profound love for their homeland. Tet away from home is not just homesickness; it also serves as a motivation for them to continue striving, hoping to be reunited with their families one day soon.
Reference: Dân Trí
