In an interview granted to the People’s Army Newspaper, the ambassador said she think the Tet festival is a meaningful time for all Vietnamese because it is the sacred transition time between the old year and the new year. It is also a reunion for all Vietnamese families, when everyone could review what they have done and hope for the future, she added.
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Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Tatiana Pugh Moreno (center) grants an interview to the People’s Army Newspaper. |
During her three years experiencing Tet in Vietnam, she was impressed when seeing Vietnamese people prepare for the event like decorating the ancestor altar, doing housecleaning, and so on. These brings a special atmosphere to not only Vietnamese but also foreigners living in Hanoi.
I saw a lots of “mobile trees,” she described when seeing Vietnamese people bought kumquat and peach trees and took them home to decorate their houses.
According to Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno, the most important value of Tet is the family. She said that Tet is the moment when all member of each family gather and spend time together. Vietnamese people often share their love, care and hope for others during Tet meals, so she think it is the most important thing of Tet.
She remembered that three years ago, when she first came to Vietnam, everyone told her most of shops and restaurants will close on Tet holidays and the street will be empty. At first, she could not believe because she saw the streets are always busy. But later, she understood the reason. The Vietnamese people often stay and enjoy their meals at home instead of going out to restaurants. In addition, they visit pagodas to pray for good health, luck and prosperity.
The Venezuelan Ambassador was also impressed by the Vietnamese traditional cuisines during Tet. She ate chung cake and likes it so much. The cake reminds her of a specialized cake of her country, namely Hallacas, which is also made from numerous ingredients.
In the previous Tet festivals, she also visited Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple like other Vietnamese people. She took her time reviewing what she had done over the year and thought of a better future when visiting the places.
In addition, the Venezuelan diplomat expressed her impression about the tomb-sweeping tradition of the Vietnamese people on Tet holidays. She said that this custom bears a deep love of families for their ancestors.
On the occasion of the lunar New Year 2023, Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno sent her wishes of good health, happiness, and success to the Vietnamese people.
Translated by Trung Thanh