Lunar New Year, or Tet, is the most popular traditional festival of the year in Viet Nam, and it leaves a deep impression on ex-pats who are living and working in Da Nang.  

Mr Matthias Weismann

Mr Matthias Weismann, General Manager of the Furama Resort Danang, remarked, “Tet is a busy time for employees working in Viet Nam’s hospitality sector.  My colleagues and I will, therefore, be focusing on caring for our customers.  I have enjoyed Tet in the city for the past 12 years, and I am always impressed by the family reunions which take place during this holiday.  Unlike in Viet Nam, Christmas is the occasion for family reunions in Switzerland and in many other Western countries.  In general, family is the most precious thing to me, and to all of you”.

He revealed that this year, he and his colleagues jointly held a farewell ceremony for their Kitchen Gods, and they once again organised a Tet rural market in the resort to show the significance of traditional Vietnamese customs.

Ms Thammanouvong Vanida

Ms Thammanouvong Vanida from Laos, a second-year student at the city’s University of Economics, said that she has been told all about Tet.  She understands that, before Lunar New Year’s Eve, Vietnamese people often buy new clothes, stockpile traditional Tet delicacies, and clean and decorate their homes.  During the Festival itself, children and the elderly are given lucky money, old people are wished good health, and adults wish one another good luck, success, and happiness in the year ahead.

Vanida said that, during her time studying and living here, she has been very impressed by the city’s beautiful landscapes and the friendliness of the local residents.  She hopes that she will stay in Da Nang to celebrate Tet with her family members.

Mr Amir Ahmad Mohamad

The Manager of the Risemount Resort Danang, Mr Amir Ahmad Mohamad, emphasised that Tet is a special occasion for him because he can meet his friends during the holiday and the Tet food is very delicious. 

Mr Mohamad said, “I have lived in Viet Nam for 10 years.  During that time, I have spent a year in Gia Lai Province’s Pleiku City, another year in Hai Phong, and the remaining 8 years in Da Nang.  I hope that I will live and work in Viet Nam for as long as possible because the Vietnamese people are wonderful.  I do not want to live and work in any other country, only in Viet Nam”.

Ms Jane Hewawasan

Ms Jane Hewawasan from Germany, Director of the Housekeeping and Customer Service Department at the Furama Resort, explained that she has worked in Da Nang since 2011.  She usually returns to her home country to celebrate Christmas and then comes back to Da Nang to enjoy the Tet Festival.  She added that the most impressive thing in the city is the local residents, who are always willing to help other people.

Ms Hewawasan underlined that, although Tet food is very different from Christmas food, they are both occasions for family reunions.  She also likes the way that Vietnamese people combine traditional and modern elements in their Tet celebrations.