Influenced by Covid-19, the family of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Chuc, living in Clarksville City, Tennessee, did not return to Vietnam but to celebrate Tet in America.
On the days of approaching New Year’s Eve, Mrs. Chuc and her descendants went to the market in Georgia, located about 5 hours away from home for Tet shopping. Although she has settled in the US since 2017, her family always returns to Vietnam to celebrate Tet. This year, due to the Covid-19 influence, everyone remained in the US.
Mrs. Chuc stopped at the fruit stall and chose a bunch of bananas to put her family altar on Tet. “Having to go that far to shop because not all places in the US sell all Vietnamese food, especially for Tet,” she explained.
On the morning of the 30th of Tet (ie February 11), Ms. Chuc wrapped 11 cakes of banh Tet by herself. “Because I wanted the whole family to have the Tet atmosphere like Vietnam and eat traditional dishes, I tried to pack some cakes. There is a shortage of ingredients here, so we have to use frozen banana leaves and ropes to tie the cake, ”said the 60-year-old woman.
When the family gathered at the banh Tet table, Mr. Son Bui, her son-in-law, took advantage of the call to congratulate the New Year family in Vietnam.
In the living room, Mr. Pham Minh Tuan, her husband and his niece decorate the Tet space by themselves.
A dry tree branch was cut by Mr. Tuan from his garden, attached with yellow fake flowers, with red couplets, like a prominent apricot branch in the middle of the house.
After 8 o’clock of boiling cakes, Mr. Tuan and Mrs. Chuc woke up on the night of the 30th of the New Year to collect and make arrangements to worship the family.
The family offering tray is prepared with fried spring rolls, boiled meat … indispensable traditional dishes of the Vietnamese people.
After preparing for Tet, Mr. Tuan lit incense and prayed before the family altar on Tet holiday. “I hope you will fly over to the US in time to eat 30 Tet meals with your family,” said the 64-year-old man.
The whole family of 5 gathered together at the end of the year tray. “Because of the complicated epidemic situation, it is impossible to invite friends and acquaintances to dinner for the end of the year, so this year’s New Year is quite quiet and simple”, Mr. Son shared.
On the morning of the first day of Tet (February 12), the whole family gathered to rest and watch the New Year’s music program at home.
vnexpress