The women of Kasai hamlet work hard and play hard. Photo: Doan Sy Long
Due to difficulties in renting a venue, the Tet fun program must be held on the afternoon of the 2nd day of Tet, February 11, 2024.
However, the appearance of nearly 100 people, including adults and children dressed in traditional ao dai, made the hall very bustling, no different from the first day.
“I will return this Tet”
Ms. Thu Van and her family have lived in Japan for more than 10 years. The last time her whole family returned to Vietnam to celebrate Tet was 2016. With so many years away from home, Ms. Van felt homesick and homesick every traditional Tet. Therefore, she responded immediately when Ms. Nga suggested organizing Tet for the Vietnamese community in Kasai.
The script for the Tet cultural program was released quickly and abundantly with many registered performances, from solos, duets to choruses…
Children show off their Vietnamese singing skills in a spring celebration performance program. Photo: Doan Sy Long
Ms. Thu Van said: “At Kasai, children can communicate in Vietnamese from basic to proficient. Therefore, the organizers encourage children to choose Vietnamese songs to perform. This once again reminds Vietnamese people far from home to preserve their voice and national roots.”
During Tet in Kasai, not only do children innocently sing “Xuc dice”, “Little stork”, but parents also pour their love into the songs “Doan Xuan Ca”, “Peaceful Tet”…
Many songs touched the hearts of listeners, in which Gia Bach (16 years old, Ms. Van’s son) performed the song “I will return this Tet” which moved the hall, some people shed tears.
In addition to musical performances, the program also includes a section “Tell stories about Tet”. Ms. Van chose the book “That’s Tet” published by Nha Nam and Hanoi Publishing House, presented in pop-up form to help children eagerly explore Tet.
The children listened attentively, imagining Tet in the countryside through the pink of peach blossoms, the yellow of apricot blossoms, the green of dong leaves wrapping banh chung…
The children enjoyed listening to Ms. Thu Van tell stories about Tet and excitedly jumped on the platform. Photo: Doan Sy Long
When it came to the lucky money performance, the children obediently lined up and thanked them loudly when they were given red envelopes.
In particular, to make the program more Tet-themed, the group of fathers took the trouble to find long bamboo sticks and carefully wrap them in colors to set up a trampoline game. In Japan, long-sized bamboo is quite rare and difficult to find. Therefore, the bamboo dance performance both made everyone excited and admired the hard work of the organizers.
What families who join together to celebrate Tet in Kasai are most interested in is creating a deep impression in the hearts of their children. From fun activities, parents in Kasai hamlet cleverly remind their children, no matter where they live, as Vietnamese people, they must remember Tet reunion.