At the Tết celebration in Japan. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in Japan, Australia, Algeria, Thailand and Laos celebrated Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival at gatherings held in their host countries as the national biggest traditional festival is approaching.

The Consulate General of Việt Nam in Japan’s Osaka city held a Tết get-together for the Vietnamese community and foreigners in Kansai region on February 2.

At the event, Vietnamese Consul General Ngô Trinh Ha laid stress on the 50th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam-Japan diplomatic relations in 2023, with more than 500 activities held, helping to improve mutual understanding and tighten the friendship between the two nations.

Conveying condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck Japan on January 1, Ha spoke highly of the support from organisations and individuals for quake-hit people, including the Vietnamese community.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in the region will promote solidarity, enhance exchanges with local people, and become stronger in the coming time.

Participants cheer up to welcome the Lunar New Year. — VNA/VNS Photo

On the occasion, more than 250 guests were treated to traditional Vietnamese dishes and art performances staged by Vietnamese people in Kansai region.

While in Canberra, Australia, a get-together was organised by the Vietnamese Embassy on February 3.

Sending his online Tết greetings to participants, Ambassador Phạm Hùng Tâm highlighted Việt Nam’s achievements in 2023 amidst gloomy global economic situation, and a milestone in Việt Nam – Australia relations as they celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 5th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.

The Vietnamese Party and State attach much importance to and want to unceasingly consolidate the great national solidary bloc, with OVs being an inseparable part, he said, adding the embassy and Consulates General in Australia have seen the community-related work as their top priority, and hope to bolster solidarity, sharing and mutual support among Vietnamese people towards the development of the community and the nation as a whole.

Tam wished that the Việt Nam – Australia relationship will develop in a practical manner and the Vietnamese community in the host nation will be stronger in 2024.

Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy Vietnamese Tết favourites and musical performances to welcome a new year of prosperity.

The Tết atmosphere was also in the air of Algeria as hundreds of Vietnamese nationals came to the embassy in Algiers to attend the Homeland Spring event on February 3.

A traditional martial art performance at the Homeland Spring event in Algiers. — VNA/VNS

Ambassador Trần Quốc Khánh said that as the inseparable part of the country, the OVs in Algeria have served as a bridge to connect the two nations, calling on Vietnamese nationals to continue promoting solidarity, joining hands to build the community as well as preserving and popularising the images of the Vietnamese people and culture among foreigners.

The OVs expressed their delight and emotion when joining the event, affirming that they always turn the hearts to the homeland.

Traditional dishes, and performances of music, traditional martial arts and lan (kylin) dance were featured at the festival.

A similar event was also arranged for OVs in Khon Kaen city of Thailand by the Vietnamese Consulate General, which drew the participation of leaders from Khon Kaen city, the Consulates General of China and Laos, and many OVs who are living and studying in Thailand’s northeastern region.

Consul General Chu Đức Dũng recalled the Party and State’s consistent policy of seeing the OVs important resources of the nation, and hailed the OVs’ contributions to the national development through cultural and religious exchange activities over the past time.

At the get-together for Tet in Thailand. — VNA/VNS Photo

The Consulate General stands ready to accompany and support the Vietnamese community, helping them promote solidarity and gain more achievements, he added.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese community in Laos organised Tết rituals at Phật Tích pagoda in Vientiane to honour their roots on February 4.

On the occasion, the pagoda and benefactors presented 150 gifts, each worth 500,000 LAK (US$24) to the impoverished and those with difficulties circumstances and disabilities in Vientiane, helping them have a warm Tết. — VNS