For 20 years, Valentin Constantinescu has celebrated Tet like a true Vietnamese. From wrapping banh chung to gathering with family, he cherishes the traditions but misses the peaceful Tet atmosphere of the past.
A journey from student to son-in-law
Valentin first arrived in Vietnam at the age of 19 to study, eventually settling down, getting married, and building a life in the country. Now at 39, he looks forward to Tet as an essential family celebration.
Though he has long assisted in the kitchen during the holiday, this year marked a personal milestone - he wrapped his first banh chung (square sticky rice cake), a staple of Vietnamese Tet.
Though not perfectly shaped, he was proud of his effort and acknowledged, “Making a good banh chung is much harder than I thought.”
As part of the preparations, Valentin also visited the Tet market and picked out a peach blossom branch to decorate his home.
Valentin Constantinescu, a Romanian who has lived in Vietnam for 20 years, buys a peach blossom branch for Tet.
Tet through the years: From student gatherings to family traditions
Before marriage, Tet meant celebrating with friends in dormitories, visiting their families, and going out. However, after tying the knot, Valentin has spent every Tet with his wife's family.
For two years after their wedding, he lived with his in-laws in Dong Da District, Hanoi. Later, when they moved to Ho Chi Minh City, they occasionally celebrated Tet there, but they always made an effort to return to Hanoi whenever possible.
“I’ve never traveled for Tet. For me, the holiday is about family. Nowadays, many people go on vacation, but I prefer staying home,” he shared.
This year, Valentin and his wife were on a cross-country trip but still made sure to return to Hanoi in time for Tet.
This year, he wrapped banh chung for the first time, learning firsthand how difficult it is to make the traditional dish.
Tet traditions and modern changes
Like every year, Valentin took part in cleaning the house and helping prepare Tet dishes. On New Year's Eve, his family gathered for light snacks, sipped wine, watched Táo Quân (a popular Tet TV program), and chatted through the night. In the following days, they visited pagodas and exchanged New Year’s greetings with relatives.
“These are the moments I treasure most during Tet,” he said.
Valentin’s favorite part of Tet, however, is the food. “I love almost everything, especially fried banh chung. The only thing I don’t like much is thit kho tau (braised pork with eggs) because it’s a bit too sweet for me.”
Although he isn’t confident in cooking an entire Tet meal alone, he enjoys assisting in the kitchen. He has also observed how much effort Vietnamese women put into holiday preparations, so he always tries to help his wife and mother-in-law as much as possible.
Valentin believes Tet is about togetherness - just being with family makes for a perfect holiday.
When asked if there was anything about Tet he disliked, Valentin laughed, “I don’t really enjoy cleaning the house. Tet cleaning is very different - it has to be incredibly thorough, much more detailed than regular house cleaning.”
Despite his aversion to deep cleaning, he appreciates how modern services make Tet preparations easier.
“Nowadays, you can hire cleaning services or buy ready-made holiday dishes instead of cooking for days. As long as family members are together, sharing laughter and happiness, Tet remains meaningful. Using services doesn’t take away from the holiday spirit,” he said.
One thing he would change about Tet, if possible, is the tendency to over-prepare food. “Every year, people cook or buy too much, and after Tet, so much gets thrown away. It would be better to prepare just enough.”
A changing Tet experience
He helps his wife and mother-in-law with cooking to ensure they can relax and enjoy the holiday. Photos: Provided by the character.
When Valentin first arrived in Vietnam, he was surprised by the tradition of giving li xi (lucky money). “At first, I found it strange to give money as a gift. But over time, I understood its meaning and got used to it. Even though it’s ‘painful for my wallet,’ seeing kids happy makes it worth it,” he joked.
Over two decades, he has noticed many changes in Tet celebrations. “Foreigners who are new to Vietnam often ask if everything shuts down for Tet. That was true in the past, but now stores and supermarkets open early, some even staying open throughout Tet.”
While convenience has improved, he misses the old Tet atmosphere. “Years ago, the streets during Tet were so peaceful and quiet. Now, by the second or third day, the streets are busy again. To me, that’s a loss - I loved strolling through the empty, serene streets during Tet.”
Vietnamnet.vn
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