Lunar New Year (Tet) is always the most sacred and meaningful time of the year for Vietnamese people. It is a season of reunion, when families gather together to welcome the New Year in the warmth and comfort of home. However, for thousands of Vietnamese workers living and working across Europe, Tet is often a time filled with homesickness, mixed with pride as they continue striving every day to build a better future far from their homeland.
Despite being thousands of kilometers away from Vietnam, Vietnamese workers in Germany, Austria, Ireland, Greece, and many other European countries continue to preserve and celebrate the beautiful traditions of their culture. Peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and festive decorations brighten dormitories and apartments, while traditional Tet meals featuring bánh chưng (sticky rice cake), Vietnamese pork sausage, spring rolls, and other familiar dishes help bring a sense of home and ease the longing for family.
Although far from their loved ones, Vietnamese workers remain united through community gatherings, cultural celebrations, and shared New Year wishes. These moments not only strengthen their connection to their roots but also provide encouragement and motivation as they pursue their dreams abroad.
Below are photos of Vietnamese workers celebrating Lunar New Year in Europe.
After working hours at factories, hospitals, nursing homes, or European enterprises, Vietnamese workers often gather to celebrate the beginning of the New Year together. They come together to share warm wishes, call their families back home, and exchange stories about life abroad. This spirit of compatriotism has become a great source of encouragement, helping them overcome challenges in both life and work.
For many Vietnamese workers, celebrating Tet far from home is not only about homesickness, but also a motivation to strive harder every day. The income they earn from working in Europe helps them support their families, build homes, invest in their children’s future, and fulfill unfinished dreams.
Amid the cold European winter, the image of the red flag with a yellow star, the sound of the Vietnamese language, and traditional Tet customs create a space rich in Vietnamese identity. It is a testament to the unity, resilience, and national pride of Vietnamese people living far from home.
Tet may not feel as complete as when celebrated with family, but in the hearts of every Vietnamese worker in Europe, their homeland is always present. And the efforts they make today are the most meaningful gift they can send back to their families in the new spring.
VIET DUC GROUP would like to extend New Year greetings to all workers, students, and members of the Vietnamese community who are living, studying, and working in Europe. We wish everyone a New Year filled with Peace, Prosperity, Success, and unwavering confidence on the journey to conquer the future.