Never before has the land of Da Nang been bustling and joyful like these days in the buildup to the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet) 2023 as all the streets and small alleys are vibrant with spring music and everywhere is filled with flowers to welcome the year’s largest festival.

People do shopping for Tet at a supermarket in Hai Chau District, Da Nang. Photo: MY VAN

This year’s spring is also very strange as the weather is no longer as cold as in the previous years, but a bit chilly as if for everyone to feel the warmth of intimacy. The rare sunshine is trying to adorn the colours of hundreds of flowers to ring in Tet.

The golden light of the sun only warms up for everyone who want to do washing and make decorations for their houses promise them a more beautiful facelift. Surely, this is the friendliness of the sun and the understanding of nature.

In comparison with HCM city, a southern metropolis with large crowds, busy and noisy streets and still blaring car horns, Da Nang is equally bustling, but it shows off a closeness and intimacy as time-honoured traditional accents used by residents here.

These days leading to Tet, Da Nang sees many families hold cozy year-end parties, get-togethers to meet with relatives and neighbours. Even small streets and the urban corners are filled with the colours of flashing lights and national flags.

Although society is gradually changing and some traditional Tet rituals are on the verge of falling into oblivion in the context of rapid urbanisation, but what Da Nang people cherish for a long time is a bond full of love.

One more thing in which Da Nang people take the pride on the occasion of Tet is mutual help and support among residents. Tet wishes and gifts have always been provided for those living in difficult circumstances. Worries and sadness are completely replaced with warm smiles and joys enlightened on the faces of the disadvantaged.

Unaccountable more volunteer clubs, businesses and sponsors in this central coastal land are actively engaged giving support of all kinds for the poor.

Along Nguyen Tat Thanh Street, many young local volunteers are observed joining hands to collect trash, do cleanups in a bid to bring a ‘new coat’ to this coastal route in the warm spring.

That's why the Da Nang natives who tout for business, live and study far away this city wants to make comebacks as soon as possible to celebrate Tet with their beloved ones.

Let’s save the love for the homeland in the heart when we feel lonely in a new land. The sweetness of the fruits of the homeland and the salty taste of the immense sea inspire us to miss when we are far away and sing when we return there.

Reporting by NGUYEN QUOC TOAN - Translating by A.THU