Overseas Vietnamese celebrate traditional New Year

Vietnamese people in Belgium, South Africa and Japan welcomed the Lunar New Year (Tet) with ceremonies on February 11, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival approaching.
Overseas Vietnamese celebrate traditional New Year ảnh 1Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung speaks at the Tet celebration in Pretoria on February 11 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese peoplein Belgium, South Africa and Japan welcomed the Lunar New Year (Tet) withceremonies on February 11, with Vietnam’s biggest traditional festival approaching.

At a ceremony in Brussels, Vietnamese Ambassadorto Belgium and head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the EU Vuong ThuaPhong highlighted the development in Vietnam’s relations with Belgium and theEU. Although the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement has yet to make progress asexpected, he expressed his belief it will be ratified in 2018, when Vietnam andBelgium will mark 45 years of diplomatic ties.

He wished Vietnamese people in Belgium health,prosperity and more contributions to the homeland and the two countries’ ties.

Chairman of the Vietnamese People Association inBelgium Huynh Cong My briefed about the organisation’s outstanding activitieslast year. Meanwhile, President of the Belgium – Vietnam Alliance GryffroyAndries said the alliance will work harder to help develop the Vietnamesecommunity in the European nation.

[Tet atmosphere warms up Vietnamese community abroad]

At a celebration in Pretoria, VietnameseAmbassador to South Africa Vu Van Dung informed participants about Vietnam’sachievements in 2017. 

He noted the two countries have made strides invarious fields last year, from economy, politics to culture and tourism, addingthat they will mark the 25th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018.

He also asked Vietnamese people in South Africato continue serving as a bridge to promote people-to-people exchange,friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Overseas Vietnamese celebrate traditional New Year ảnh 2Vietnamese people in Tsukuba city, Japan, make "chung" cakes - a traditional dish for Tet (Photo: VNA)

 In the Japanese prefecture of Ibaraki,Vietnamese people in Tsukuba city held on February 11 a Tet celebration where aliaison board also debuted. Representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Japanand more than 200 Vietnamese and foreign friends attended the event.

Head of the liaison board Cao Sy Luan said theboard will help promote the image of Vietnamese people among Japanese,contributing to the two countries’ friendship.-VNA
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