[Photos] Foreign Ambassadors Experience Vietnamese Tet
The traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, imbued with Vietnamese identity, has left an indelible mark on the hearts of foreign diplomats in Vietnam.
Norwegian and Bristish diplomats experienced some customs during the Lunar New Year in Vietnam.
![]() |
| Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken and her family ask for calligraphy in Vietnamese in Van Mieu Quoc Tu Giam or Temple of Literature. Photo: VNA |
![]() |
| The tradition of collecting letters has become part of Vietnamese culture whenever the Lunar New Year arrives. Photo: VNA |
![]() |
| The Norwegian Ambassador asks for “Xanh” (green) calligraphy, which symbolises hope for peace in the world, especially in the context of formidable challenges around the globe. Photo: VNA |
![]() |
| Through the calligraphy, the Ambassador expects that Vietnam and Norway will see further cooperation in the fields of green economy, the circular economy, and energy transition. Photo: VNA |
![]() |
| She also asks for “Hanh Phuc” (Happiness) calligraphy to have happiness year-round. Photo: VNA |
![]() |
| Decorating home with apricot blossoms for Tet. Source: Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi |
![]() |
| This will be the first Tet in Vietnam for her and family. Source: Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi |
![]() |
| "Tet is a time for peace and love, and I wish the Vietnamese people a joyful and relaxing Tet with the people they love, savouring traditional foods and reflecting on achievements in the past year and goals for the next. I know the setence 'Chúc mừng Năm mới' in Vietnamese. But I am also practicing a longer sentence 'I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous year of the cat!' the ambassador shared with the World and Vietnam Report. |
![]() |
| Bristish Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew also embraced the pre-Tet spirit. Source: Bristish embassy in Vietnam |
![]() |
| He learns how to make Banh Chung or squared sticky rice cake. Source: Bristish embassy in Vietnam |
![]() |
| Dressed in ao dai, British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Emily Hamblin and members of the consulate came to visit the Vietnamese New Year Festival at the Thanh Nien Cultural House. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
![]() |
| She was appointed as British Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City on September 22, 2020, as one of the youngest Consul General among foreign diplomats working in Ho Chi Minh City. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
![]() |
| The British Consul General is very fond of Vietnamese calligraphy writing. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
![]() |
| Accompanying Emily on her spring trip was British Deputy Consul General - Sam Wood. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
![]() |
| He also enjoyed the colorful and bustling scene of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year Festival, besides the traditional calligraphy writing. Source: British Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. |
| Hai Phong: Discover The Best Destinations For Taking Instagrammable Tet Photos At the end of the year, when the Tet holiday in Vietnam is coming close, Hai Phong, “the city of red phoenix flowers” is bustling ... |
| Vietnamese Culture Shines in France On January 14, the Association for the Promotion of Vietnamese Culture (APCV) organized a special cultural and artistic program in Paris. This is one of ... |
| How To Celebrate Tet Like A Vietnamese: A Helpful Guide for Expats Tet is a special occasion for Vietnamese and preparing for the holiday is even more important than the holiday itself. |
Most read
Recommended
Friendship
Friendship Order Conferred on Peter Jankowitsch and Austria-Vietnam Society
Peter Jankowitsch, Honorary President of the Austria-Vietnam Society and former Austrian Foreign Minister, together with the Austria-Vietnam Society, has made significant contributions to strengthening and developing the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Austria.
July 21, 2026 | 14:12
Friendship
Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association to Consolidate Local Chapters Following Administrative Merger
In the second half of 2026, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association will focus on consolidating its local chapters following the administrative merger of provinces and cities while implementing the 2025-2030 cooperation agreement signed with the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association. The Association also identified strengthening youth exchanges as a key priority for its upcoming activities.
July 20, 2026 | 11:03
Friendship
Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association Advances Cooperation Agreement to Strengthen People-to-People Ties
On July 18 in Quang Tri Province, the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association held its Executive Committee Conference to review its work during the first six months of 2026 and identify key priorities for the coming time. Among its major objectives are advancing the signing of a cooperation agreement with the German-Vietnamese Association (DVG) and strengthening people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Germany.
July 20, 2026 | 10:49
Friendship
Hai Phong Mobilizes Over USD 1.36 Million in Non-Governmental Aid
In the first six months of 2026, the Hai Phong Union of Friendship Organizations mobilized more than USD 1.36 million in foreign non-governmental aid, with over USD 1.1 million disbursed. In the coming period, the city will prioritize expanding cooperation in climate change response, sustainable livelihoods, education, healthcare, and digital transformation.
July 20, 2026 | 09:35
Popular article
Friendship
Quang Ninh and Hanoi Friendship Unions of Friendship Organizations Strengthen Cooperation in People-to-People Diplomacy
The Quang Ninh Union of Friendship Organizations and the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations reached agreement on a wide range of cooperation priorities during a working session held on the morning of July 16, aiming to enhance the quality of people-to-people diplomacy and strengthen coordination between the two organizations.
July 19, 2026 | 17:51
Friendship
Vietnam and Greece Promote Substantive and Effective Cooperation
On July 17, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held talks with George Gerapetrins, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Greece, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam. The two sides discussed ways to further advance the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and Greece in a substantive and effective manner.
July 19, 2026 | 17:42
Friendship
“Encountering the Japanese Language in My Youth Was the Greatest Blessing of My Life”
“That is the greatest blessing of my life,” shared Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Bich Ha, former Dean of the Japanese Language Faculty at the Foreign Trade University, at the ceremony honoring her with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, conferred by the Government of Japan on July 17 in Hanoi.
July 18, 2026 | 10:02
Friendship
Artistic Artifacts Strengthen Vietnam-Russia Cultural Connection
The wife of the Russian Ambassador to Vietnam handed over three water puppet artifacts used in water puppetry performances of the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre to the Director General of the Museum of Oriental Art.
July 18, 2026 | 09:30














