Students in Cuba meet for Tet celebration party

Vietnamese students in Cuba have gathered in Havana for their traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) celebration party.

Like other Vietnamese living overseas they all wished to enjoy the Tet holiday as in the homeland. Only a few of them were lucky enough to return home on this occasion.

Even without seeing peach or apricot blossoms—two symbols of Tet in the northern and southern parts  of Vietnam—many looked quite happy at a party hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana where they had the chance to meet old friends and make new acquaintances enjoy traditional music and dance performances, and taste special Tet dishes.

A group of four new students Oanh, Vi, Le, and Phuong—revealed that this was their first Tet celebration abroad. “Art performances and other cultural exchange programmes have made me feel less homesick,” Phuong said.

“I really miss the joy of going shopping and decorating the house as part of Tet preparations,” Le said.

All these new arrivals in Havana wished to study well and reunite with their families early.

What about the feelings of those students who have stayed in Cuba for a long time?

Vu Anh, a fourth-year student at Santa Clara University, said he is now used to Tet celebrations with my international friends Cuba.

“Cultural exchange not only helps strengthen friendship among Vietnamese students but also promotes solidarity with foreign friends,” Anh said.

Vietnamese students at Santa Clara University often gather on Lunar New Year’s Eve in the hope of welcoming in a lucky and prosperous year both for themselves and their families at home.

They are all dressed in traditional costumes including Ao Dai (long dress) while performing music or culinary art.

Though living far from the homeland they are set to preserve and promote Vietnam’s traditional culture.