Vietnamese people in RoK celebrate Tet

Nearly 500 Vietnamese who are living, studying, and working in the Republic of Korea (RoK) gathered with Korean friends in Seoul on December 22 to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) - the biggest holiday in Vietnam.

Participants at a spring festival held at Heungryunsa Pagoda, Incheon City on the December 21 by the  Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA)
Participants at a spring festival held at Heungryunsa Pagoda, Incheon City on the December 21 by the Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the Republic of Korea. (Photo: VNA)

The event was held by the Association of Vietnamese Communities in Korea (AVCK) with the aim of strengthening solidarity among overseas Vietnamese in their host society.

Participants had the opportunity to taste traditional foods, such as pork pies and “chung” cake (square glutinous rice cake), as well as enjoy art performances and games.

Nearly 200,000 Vietnamese people are currently living in the RoK.

The AVCK has organised a number of activities to connect the Vietnamese people in the RoK, such as a cultural festival and a sports congress, as well as supported flood victims in Vietnam’s central, Central Highland, and southern regions.

The association has also opened Vietnamese classes for children from Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families.

Also marking the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year festival, the Vietnamese Buddhist Association in the Republic of Korea held a spring festival at Heungryunsa Pagoda, Incheon City on the December 21.

Speaking at the event, Venerable Thich Quang Thanh, member of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Executive Council, thanked the Vietnamese embassy in the RoK, the Korean government, Incheon authorities and Buddhist leaders for providing all possible support for the Vietnamese community in the country, and for Vietnamese Buddhists in particular.

He wished that the two countries’ governments and Buddhist followers would stay united to further develop bilateral ties.

Mayor of Incheon City Park Nam-chum said that the city is now home to over 70,000 foreigners, including over 10,000 Vietnamese people. Its exports to Vietnam this year accounted for most of the combined total of over US$270 million.

First Secretary of the Vietnamese embassy in the RoK Cao Minh Duc hoped that Vietnamese Buddhist followers would abide by the law and make active contributions to social development in the RoK.

Participants at the event were treated to traditional music performances by children of Vietnam - RoK multicultural families, and others.