Growing up as an only child, I faced the challenge of navigating the world without the benefit of siblings to fight, play, and share my ups and downs with.
“Tết,” or Vietnamese Lunar New Year,
one of the most sacred occasions for all Vietnamese to foster family values, became the hardest and loneliest time for me. However, my life took a 180-
degree turn when I left Vietnam at the age of 15 and moved to Pennsylvania alone as an exchange student. I met my destined “chosen family,” where I first learned about family values and became Harry.
My host family, and two Hungarian and Italian roommates whom I now consider brothers, showered me with unconditional love and kindness, and also taught me how to be part of a family. Since then, I have continued my journey as an international student, visiting different parts of the world, meeting different people, along with learning and adapting to different cultures and traditions.
My experience and newfound sense of belonging has taught me how to navigate the world on a deeper level, allowing me to not only broaden my network but also connect with others more intimately.
Tết marks the beginning of the lunar calendar, which usually falls between late January and early February. The occasion is not exclusive to the Vietnamese community; it is also celebrated in several other Asian countries and cultures, such as China, Korea, and Mongolia.
Central to this is the concept of family. Across generations, family members gather to rejoice, worship their ancestors, feast, and have fun. And Vietnamese people enjoy sharing this familial experience with close friends, even when they are from different cultures. During Tết, elders give out red envelopes, known as “Lì Xì,” to the younger members of the family. These red envelopes, decorated with vibrant designs and packed with money, symbolize good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the new year. The act of “Lì Xì” is not merely a financial gesture; it conveys a sense of generosity and
goodwill.
To better connect with my Lincoln Family and to spread the spirit of Tết, I hosted a small “Tết” party at the Shoreline Beach Alameda for some of my dear Friends. In addition, I practiced the custom of “Li Xi’ by giving out red envelopes to my friends as an expression of friendship and my warm wishes.
Tết holds a sacred family essence in the hearts of all the Vietnamese. By organizing this event, I hoped not only to share a piece of my culture with my friends but also to cultivate a feeling of bonding among other students.