The event, themed “Meet Vietnam”, was participated in by 252 foreign students from 17 countries and territories studying in Vietnam, such as Republic of Korea, China, America, Japan, Laos, Cambodia, Cuba, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Palestine and Brazil; 178 Vietnamese students from big universities in Hanoi such as Vietnam National University, National Economics University, Hanoi University and Diplomatic Academy; 100 volunteers, who are students from the University of Hanoi; and overseas Vietnamese students of the UK, France, Germany, Hungary, Korea and China returning to the homeland for Tet.
During the program, the participants experienced unique cultural features of Tet such as displaying five-fruit tray; packing “Chung” (square glutinous rice) cake, writing calligraphy; making Happy New Year cards with the message "I love Vietnam", kneading “To He” (coloured dough into paste animals), and enjoying folk games.
In the evening of the same day, the young people participated in an art program with the theme "Meeting Vietnam, greeting new spring" with unique items characterizing cultures of countries performed by foreign students studying in Hanoi.
Yazana Yaldeh, an international student from Palestine, said it was the 3rd time he has welcomed Tet in Vietnam.
"I was treated as a son by my friend’s family. They told me traditional customs of Tet, guided me how to pack “Chung” cake. At first it was difficult for me to pack the cake, but when my friend showed me, I packed it very quickly and my friend said that I packed it very beautifully. I like “Chung” cake because its flavour is very special," said Yazana Yaldeh.
Each year, Yazana Yaldeh goes to a different friend’s family to welcome Tet.
Adam Tallouri, a student from Palestine, studying at the Hanoi University of Science and Technology, said that last year he welcomed Tet with his friend’s family in Thai Nguyen province. This year, he will also welcome Tet in Thai Nguyen and go to Sa Pa to learn more about the country, culture and people of Vietnam.
“My biggest impression is that Vietnamese people are very friendly and kind. I can’t eat pork so my friend’s family decided to pack “Chung” cake with beef for me, that made me very emotional. I was led to my friend’s relatives and friend families to wish Happy New Year. In spite of the first meeting, they loved and gave me lucky money," he said.
Doan Hong Ha, Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam National Union of Students, said that the exchange program is an opportunity for international students in Vietnam to learn about and experience the traditional beauty of Tet to further love the land and people of Vietnam.
"Besides creating an exchange environment between Vietnamese students and foreign students in Vietnam, the program also created an opportunity for Vietnamese students to participate in international exchange activities, enhance integration skills, contributing to promote the image, country and people of Vietnam to friends in region and in globe as well as help international students understand and respect the traditional beauty of the culture of Vietnam during Tet," said Doan Hong Ha.
Young friends packing “Chung” cake
Displaying five-fruit tray
Playing folk games
Writing calligraphy