Experiencing Lunar New Year and Vietnamese Culture Abroad

Spending Lunar New Year, Tết, away from home for the first time was a bittersweet mix of excitement and nostalgia. This year, while studying abroad in London, a city that is prone to grand celebrations, I was not sure what to expect from this holiday. I have always been surrounded by my familiar, ancestral traditions and was found with none this year. Instead, I discovered some traditions that were new and comforting. 

The actual day of Tết, Lunar New Year in Vietnamese culture, passed more quietly than I was used to. Luckily, it was still special. IES Abroad organized a small celebration where we made our own fai chun, traditional red calligraphy banners with messages of luck and prosperity. As I stood there, carefully brushing the ink onto bright red paper, I felt grounded. It was not the large family gathering that I was used to. Nonetheless, it was a thoughtful and intimate way to honor new traditions, while sharing it with others who were also far from home. 

However, London had its own way of bringing this holiday to life. The weekend after, the city quickly transformed. Chinatown was at the heart of it all, bursting into color and movement that Sunday. Walking though the streets during the parade, that stretched from Trafalgar Square to Chinatown, felt incredibly exciting. There were lanterns overhead, crowds weaving through the roads, children playing small handheld drums, and the aroma of familiar foods wafting through the air.

I found myself passing by some of my favorite food spots. A stop at Chinatown Bakery offered comforting sweets that reminded me of post-lunch tea time. At Joy Bao Bao, the scent of freshly made buns warmed the air. At Beijing Dumpling, the satisfying plates of freshly made dumplings were my absolute favorite on a cold day. 

The crowds were intense but there was a heartfelt, shared sense of curiosity and celebration. People came in and out of the city just to experience the festival, food and performances like the lion dancing. It was not just a cultural event, it was a collective of discovery where everyone could take part.

Beyond Chinatown, I found comfort in other corners of the city as well. Craving something warm and familiar, I would visit Banh Mi Bay and Pho Ta, where both served classic dishes that were deeply tied to my Vietnamese culture.

During my time here, I cannot always find my favorite meals so I would try to recreate them. Visiting grocery stores like Oseyo, Seoul Plaza, Tian Tian Market, and Longdan Oriental Supermarket became part of my experience. Wandering through aisles filled with familiar ingredients, I was able to whip up small meals from home in my own kitchen.

Experiencing Lunar New Year abroad made me realize that traditions are not tied to just one place. They move with people, evolving and adapting as they hold onto their essence. While it was not the same as being at home, it did not feel like it was not special. It was unexpectedly special in a new, transformative way.