The Vietnamese communities in many countries have held get-togethers and parties to welcome the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet).

The club of Vietnamese fellow-countrymen in Laos’ Xiengkhoang province hosted a get-together on February 17 to celebrate Tet.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Manh Hung said he hopes that the overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Laos will continue to enhance solidarity, abide by the law of the host country while preserving their own cultural culture, thus contributing to fostering the Vietnam – Laos friendship.

In Japan, a similar event jointly held by the Vietnamese Embassy and the Overseas Vietnamese Association drew the participation of nearly 3,000 OVs.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung said the two countries have chosen 2013 as the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Year to mark the 40 th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties.

A series of important events will be held in both countries during the year, he added.

On this occasion, Ambassador Hung presented certificates of merit to outstanding overseas Vietnamese in Japan .

Meanwhile, in Germany’s capital city of Berlin, the authorities of Treptow – Koepenick district partnered with Vietnamese organisations to hold a Lunar New Year celebration for the local Vietnamese community.

Participants at the event enjoyed lion dances and music performances, including Bac Ninh love duets and spring-themed songs.

Earlier on February 16, the General Union of Vietnamese in France, in coordination with the Unions of Vietnamese Students and Youths in the country, hosted a New Year banquet in Paris in a warm and joyful atmosphere.

The same day, the Vietnamese students in the French southern cities of Tours and Blois greeted the Year of the Snake with music performances, a traditional ao dai show, folk dances and traditional dishes of three Vietnamese regions.

Jean-Jacques Rouselle, President of the Touraine-Vietnam Association said the Vietnamese community in France, especially students, are cultural ambassadors who bridge Vietnam and France in general and the two cities in particular.-VNA