Tet holiday in eyes of foreign diplomats in Hanoi

Tet (Lunar New Year) is always an interesting experience for foreigners, especially foreign ambassadors in Vietnam.

Norwegian and Swiss Ambassadors to Vietnam have shared with the Vietnam Government Portal their feelings about Tet holiday in the country.

Norwegian Ambassador Hilde Solbakken said, her family really loves living in Vietnam and in the capital city of Hanoi.

"We love the bustling life on the streets, and are very impressed with the very hard-working culture in Vietnam. We really feel like home here. So for this Tet, I think we're going to enjoy the quiet days in Hanoi during the beginning of Tet. Just wander around in the old quarter in Hanoi. We will have our own peach blossom tree and will put the wishes on the tree. Hopefully we can also visit some of the beautiful temples in Hanoi", she shared.

Regarding her favorite dish and favorite activities during Tet, the Norwegian Ambassador said that, for Tet last year, her family had a very nice time visiting Duong Lam Ancient Village in Son Tay District, Hanoi, where her family had an opportunity to make che lam candy and that's definitely one of her favorite dishes for Tet,  adding that it is also very interesting to see the way Vietnamese people pay respect to their ancestors and visit temples during Tet.

Meanwhile, Swiss Ambassador Thomas Gass said, when he arrived two years ago, he was very excited about working in Vietnam and was very impressed by the Vietnamese society. After two years it's becoming even clearer.

"What impresses me is the resilience, the resourcefulness and the energy of the Vietnamese society and the Vietnamese people. This resilience and this capacity to stand up and to look forward to the future with optimism and with courage has been demonstrated by the way Vietnam responded to the Typhoon Yagi in September 2024,"  the Swiss Ambassador said.

In 2025, when Vietnam is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 -2025) and 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 – 2025), it is a moment where we actually celebrate the strength of the Vietnamese community in all its diversity and with all its energy, he said.

This is his third Tet in Vietnam, the Swiss diplomat shared, adding that he loves Tet festival in Vietnam.

"I love though the way everyone is excited. The flower markets are beautiful. People carry trees to their relatives and to their friends. It's wonderful. My wife and I look forward to taking some time to go and walk. We hike in the mountains such as Cuc Phuong in the Ninh Binh province or Phu Luong in Thanh Hoa province or Soc Son nearby Hanoi. We like to go walking and enjoy the fresh air and the birds singing and seeing Vietnamese people doing their stuff,”  he shared.

The Ambassador said, what he looks forward to enjoy during Tet holiday is to taste banh chung, bamboo shoot soup, crispy ginger chips, fried spring rolls and che lam. Those are some of his favorite dishes around Tet.