Impressed by the dynamism of Vietnam: French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet
French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet said that during the interview granted to the reporters of the People’s Army Newspaper. It seems that Ambassador Olivier Brochet had thoroughly researched the customs of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, as he chose a traditional Vietnamese Ao dai (traditional long dress) for the meeting with the reporters.
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French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet decorates the house to celebrate Tet. |
The French diplomat said, “This is my second time celebrating Tet in Vietnam. I can feel the charm of Tet and am deeply impressed by the affection the Vietnamese people have for their traditional New Year. It reminds me of how Westerners celebrate Christmas and the New Year. It's a time for families, loved ones, and friends to reunite. For the Vietnamese, it's also a moment for children to show respect for their parents, grandparents, and the elderly, and to express gratitude to teachers. I highly value the spiritual and emotional connections that are so deeply woven into Vietnamese Tet celebrations.”
Ambassador Brochet was also struck by the bustling atmosphere in markets preparing for the holiday, the crowded flower markets, peach and kumquat gardens. “I am particularly impressed by the transportation skills of the Vietnamese. They can carry large peach branches or kumquat trees on their motorbikes, weaving through alleys and streets,” Ambassador Brochet said.
Since he began his term in Vietnam, Ambassador Brochet has made time to visit various regions across the country, sometimes as part of official trips, and at other times as a regular tourist. “I am very impressed by the dynamism of Vietnam. No matter where I go, I see a strong desire for change and development; local governments are open, eager to listen, and willing to learn to foster greater development in both depth and breadth…”
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The French ambassador welcomes guests. |
One of the most special things about the Vietnamese people, according to Ambassador Brochet, is their hospitality. “Wherever I go, I see beautiful, diverse landscapes, and visitors are always warmly welcomed, making them feel comfortable and happy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Vietnamese people for their warm welcome, not just to me, but to all tourists from France. I hope the relationship between France and Vietnam will continue to strengthen and develop,” the French diplomat added.
Inspired by your enduring energy: Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass
“To me, Tet represents the essence of Vietnam’s energy and its ability to look to the future with optimism and courage. This is especially meaningful after Vietnam’s remarkable recovery and resilience in the face of the harsh impacts of Typhoon Yagi just a few months ago,” shared Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass.
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Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass talks with a reporter of the People's Army Newspaper. |
Having traveled to many regions of Vietnam, Ambassador Gass planned to explore the natural the beauty of Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa and Cuc Phuong in Ninh Binh nature reserves and enjoy traditional Tet foods like Banh chung (traditional square sticky rice cake), che lam (Vietnamese nutty ginger sticky rice bar), and candied ginger during this Lunar New Year holidays.
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Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass visits a photo exhibition at Hanoi Book Street. |
"The enduring energy and resourcefulness of the Vietnamese people always inspire me. Vietnam enters 2025 with many important national events. I wish that the Year of Snake will bring prosperity and open up many new opportunities for all of us," said the Swiss diplomat.
Tet is a very beautiful time: Colonel Thomas Jacob Bouchillon, Defense Attaché of the United States to Vietnam
This is the second time that Colonel Thomas Jacob Bouchillon has celebrated Tet in Vietnam, and for him, the Vietnamese lunar New Year is a unique experience. “Tet is a very beautiful culture of Vietnam. It warms my heart to see how much the Vietnamese people value family and always make time to reunite with loved ones during Tet,” Colonel Bouchillon remarked.
In his first year celebrating Tet in Vietnam, Colonel Bouchillon and his wife had a memorable experience when they decided to fly to Phu Quoc. He recalled, “As soon as we arrived, we realized that almost all restaurants were closed for the holiday.”
Colonel Thomas Jacob Bouchillon added, “Learning from the first time's experience, this year, we had a very relaxing and wonderful holiday. I began to understand the true meaning of Vietnamese Tet. It is a time for people to be with their families. People leave the busy city to return to their hometowns. It’s a time to slow down, escape the noise and bustle of city life. The Vietnamese are hardworking and diligent, but it’s beautiful to see them slow down and enjoy time with their families.”
Colonel Bouchillon also expressed his admiration for the Vietnamese people's drive and ambition. “I’ve witnessed Vietnamese parents actively investing in their children’s education, and that has inspired me greatly,” he said.
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U.S. Defense Attaché to Vietnam Colonel Thomas Jacob Bouchillon |
Looking ahead, the U.S. defense attaché noted that 2025 is a significant year for Vietnam, marking the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the country and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-U.S. diplomatic relations. The said that he feels proud to be in Vietnam at such an important time in history, as the country is accelerating the modernization. He is also honored to be a part of the strong relationship between the two countries... On the occasion of the Vietnamese lunar New Year, the U.S. diplomat sent the warmest New Year greetings to the readers of People People’s Army and to the people of Vietnam.
Translated by Tran Hoai