On the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet), the Vietnamese community in Australia have gathered to welcome their biggest festival of the year, serving traditional Vietnamese food like Chung (Square) cake, Xoi (steamed glutinous rice) and Gio Lua (lean pork paste).

Vietnamese people also flocked to pagodas to offer incense and pray for a happy and warm new year.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela has held a Tet get-together for Vietnamese studying and working in the country.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Ngo Tien Dung wished Vietnamese people in Venezuela a happy new year and briefed participants on Vietnam’s 2012 socio-economic and diplomatic achievements, as well as the country’s 2013 targets.

He said he was delighted with the two countries’ developing relations, especially in politics, economics and culture. He affirmed the determination of leaders from both sides to further strengthen and consolidate bilateral comprehensive cooperation.

At the event, Alma Venezuela (Soul of Venezuela) band, which toured Vietnam in 2011, performed some original songs praising late President Ho Chi Minh, General Vo Nguyen Giap and Hero Nguyen Van Troi.-VNA