Participants at the homeland spring programme held in Brussels, on January 19 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, which is also in charge of Luxembourg. (Photo: VNA)
In Brussels, on January 19, the Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, which is in charge of Luxembourg, organised a homeland spring programme. Featuring traditional Vietnamese music performances and culinary specialties, it attracted students, researchers, and members of the Vietnamese community from the two European nations.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao praised the strong and sustainable development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and Belgium, as well as the dynamic and effective ties with Luxembourg. Looking ahead, he pointed to the continued growth of Vietnam-EU relations and opportunities brought about by the upcoming visit of EU senior officials to Vietnam to mark the 35th anniversary of the two sides’ diplomatic relations.
The same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, in collaboration with local organisations, held a Tet celebration with traditional folk games, musical performances, and a space for making banh chung – the square glutinous rice cake essential to Tet.
Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi noted that this year’s Tet coincides with the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950-2025). He encouraged the Vietnamese community in Russia to contribute to the development of both countries, fostering their enduring friendship and cooperation.
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| At the space for making banh chung – the square glutinous rice cake essential to Tet, as part of the celebration in Russia. (Photo: VNA) |
On January 18, the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands hosted a similar Tet gathering, with Ambassador Ngo Huong Nam expressing his pride in the Vietnamese community’s efforts to preserve their culture. Ngo Thi Bich Ngoc, head of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in the Netherlands, expressed gratitude for the Vietnamese State’s attention to the community, always considering them an inseparable part of the nation.
In Germany, the Vietnamese Embassy and the community also came together for a Tet celebration in Berlin, marking the beginning of the year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the countries (1975-2025). Ambassador Vu Quang Minh took this occasion to highlight the achievements of the Vietnamese community in Germany and their significant contributions to both nations’ development.
Florian Hauer, Berlin's State Secretary for Federal and European Affairs and International Relations, also commended the group’s role in enriching Berlin both economically and culturally, pointing to the success of their projects like the Dong Xuan centre.
On January 17, the Vietnamese Embassy in Slovakia hosted a similar celebration. Ambassador Pham Truong Giang praised the community's dedication to supporting one another and contributing to Vietnam’s development, particularly in the wake of natural disasters. He also stressed the embassy’s continued focus on helping the community integrate into Slovak society.
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| The ancestral worship ceremony held as part of the Tet festival in Oxford, the UK. (Photo: VNA) |
In the UK, the Vietnamese Students Association in Oxford (VOX) organised a Tet festival, attracting professors, students, and researchers from across the European nation. This event, its fourth annual edition in Oxford, was the largest and most diverse yet, offering guests the chance to try traditional Tet staples, participate in folk games, and join in an ancestral worship ceremony led by Ambassador Do Minh Hung. The festival also included discussions on sustainable economic development in Vietnam and opportunities for young Vietnamese abroad to return home and make their contributions./.