Spring Break
Traditional Vietnamese New Year
ISOSU
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Forum
Because of these customs, we try to avoid visiting each other's houses during the first two days. Many people will check with the household owner to see if they would like to be visited by the first visitor.
Highly respected people don't have to worry about this. This custom is also applied to companies and organizations.
Normally we have four days for Tet celebration, but most of the time, people don't work during the following week. They come to the office and go away for New Year's parties. Although it is not right, it is understandable. If you have some business that needs to be done during this period, forget it. Two weeks before Tet and two weeks after Tet are inappropriate times to discuss new projects in Vietnam.
People like to visit pagodas and temples to pray for a happy and successful new year. You cannot find a pagoda or temple without a huge crowd of people. When greeting each other, people always give best wishes to each other or invite each other to visit their house.
When you visit someone's house, don't be surprised if they pour wine to invite you. You are supposed to eat something they offer, or they will think you are not honest to them. This custom showed Vietnamese hospitality in old days, but also makes many foreigners feel uncomfortable. The Vietnamese like to persuade guests to eat something to celebrate the new year with their family. Understand the Vietnamese spirit, and you will enjoy your work or stay in Vietnam.
My last tip for you is that when you are invited to drink or smoke at a Vietnamese house, just politely refuse it if you don't want to, with the reason that your toleration for it is low. It is acceptable if you are a foreigner because the Vietnamese always respect your choice.
It has been one year and four months since I arrived in Corvallis. Growing up from this culture, I feel that my year has still not ended yet, unless I go back Vietnam and celebrate our traditional New Year there.
Phuong Nguyen is a graduate student in business and a part of ISOSU. The opinions expressed in ISOSU's column, which appears every Tuesday, do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Nguyen can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
Highly respected people don't have to worry about this. This custom is also applied to companies and organizations.
Normally we have four days for Tet celebration, but most of the time, people don't work during the following week. They come to the office and go away for New Year's parties. Although it is not right, it is understandable. If you have some business that needs to be done during this period, forget it. Two weeks before Tet and two weeks after Tet are inappropriate times to discuss new projects in Vietnam.
People like to visit pagodas and temples to pray for a happy and successful new year. You cannot find a pagoda or temple without a huge crowd of people. When greeting each other, people always give best wishes to each other or invite each other to visit their house.
When you visit someone's house, don't be surprised if they pour wine to invite you. You are supposed to eat something they offer, or they will think you are not honest to them. This custom showed Vietnamese hospitality in old days, but also makes many foreigners feel uncomfortable. The Vietnamese like to persuade guests to eat something to celebrate the new year with their family. Understand the Vietnamese spirit, and you will enjoy your work or stay in Vietnam.
My last tip for you is that when you are invited to drink or smoke at a Vietnamese house, just politely refuse it if you don't want to, with the reason that your toleration for it is low. It is acceptable if you are a foreigner because the Vietnamese always respect your choice.
It has been one year and four months since I arrived in Corvallis. Growing up from this culture, I feel that my year has still not ended yet, unless I go back Vietnam and celebrate our traditional New Year there.
Phuong Nguyen is a graduate student in business and a part of ISOSU. The opinions expressed in ISOSU's column, which appears every Tuesday, do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Barometer staff. Nguyen can be reached at forum@dailybarometer.com.
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