Nguyen Thi Ha (born in 1982) in Dinh Huong village, Duc Thang commune, Hiep Hoa district put a peach tree decorated with some small lanterns and red couplets in a well-conditioned new house. She got married with Nguyen Duc Yen (born in 1982) in 2009. Her husband has not been home on Tet for 10 years since their marriage.

Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha visits relatives of lieutenant Nguyen Duc Duy (born in 1985) in Cam Bao village, Xuan Cam commune, Hiep Hoa district who is vice captain of vessel 741 in Truong Sa.

“He’s the captain of the vessel No 734, Navy Troop 128 on Song Tu Tay island (Truong Sa archipelago). Due to his job features, he rarely comes home especially on New Year occasion”, said Ha.

They welcomed their first daughter in 2012 and another girl some years later. Despite the hardness, they enjoyed great happiness with the babies. Living in different places on every Tet, they told each other about Tet celebration in the hometown and the far island through phone calls. In spite of the difficulties and disadvantages, she always says to herself to be stronger to become the firm home front for her husband.

Also, Do Van Nghiem (born in 1976) in the Construction Division, Military Engineering Brigade No 83, Vietnam’s People’s Navy will be absent from home on Tet this year. He joined the army in 1994. He has been in the army for 26 years but he can count the times he has come home for Tet on the fingers.

Do Van Tuyen and his wife in Phuc Lam village, Hoang Ninh commune, Viet Yen district make a phone call to his son Do Van Nghiem who is on mission in Truong Sa archipelago.

Do Van Tuyen (born in 195) in Phuc Lam village, Hoang Ninh commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, Nghiem’s father shared, “I have 7 children, 3 of them are soldiers. Nghiem works farthest from home. He was very naughty in his childhood but now my son become stronger and mature. We miss him so much when he is absent from home on Tet. However, we always encourage him to fulfill his missions”.

Ha Giang province is located in the north pole of Vietnam with Ban May border post where Commander Huong Xuan Nha (born in 1969) has been devoted his youth over the past 20 years. He works as a Chinese interpreter at the post. He was born in Tan Dan town, Yen Dung district, Bac Giang province but he and his wife are living in Ha Giang for work.

When he is not on duty, he takes his family to come back the hometown to enjoy Tet.

Daughter of Commander Huong Xuan Nha working in Ban May border post goes back the hometown to enjoy Tet with her grandfather.

As understanding the difficulties facing the officials and soldiers working in the borders and islands, the local government of all levels and military units visit and present gifts to the soldiers’ families when spring comes to help the soldiers feel assured to fulfill their missions.

This year, 15 families of the official and soldiers on missions in the border posts, Truong Sa archipelago and DK1 rigs have been presented gifts. Many best greetings have been sent from the home front to the remote borders and islands expecting the soldiers to be strong and tough to protect the national sovereignty.

Time for Tet means it's time for a bite of banh chung

Tet (Lunar New Year) is fast approaching, and people in Boe Dau village in the northern province of Thai Nguyen’s Co Lung commune are busy preparing banh chung (square glutinous rice cakes).

Overseas Vietnamese gather for Tet celebration

The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan held a meeting for overseas Vietnamese on January 10 to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet), the biggest holiday in Vietnam.

Mekong Delta farmers expect good harvest of Tet flowers

Farmers in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region are expected to have a good flower and ornamental plant harvest, as well as good prices, for the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival, which falls on January 25.

Provincial Party Secretary Bui Van Hai visits and presents Tet gift to national contributors and poor households in Yen Dung district

(BGO) – On the occasion of the upcoming 2020 Lunar New Year (the Year of the Mouse), Member of the Central Party Committee, Secretary of Bac Giang provincial People’s Committee (PPC), Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Bui Van Hai on January 9 visited and presented Tet gifts to the People’s Armed Force Hero Tran Dinh Hung (born in 1928) in Duoi village, Canh Thuy commune (Yen Dung district).   

Provincial Chairman Duong Van Thai extends Tet greetings to Chinese Embassy in Vietnam

(BGO)- Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee of Bac Giang province Duong Van Thai and leader of the Department of Foreign Affairs visited to extend Tet greetings to Xiong Bo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Vietnam and staff of Chinese Embassy ahead Lunar New Year 2020. 

Mac Yen