The first time Belgian national Men Cheo experienced Tet in Vietnam was also the first time he met his now-wife, Thuy, in person. Five years later, he has fully embraced Vietnamese New Year traditions, from cooking bánh chưng to xông đất, making him an honorary Vietnamese son-in-law.

Now living in Dak Lak, Cheo and Thuy spend each Tet with her family. He actively participates in traditional customs such as house cleaning, preparing offerings, and cooking festive dishes. His enthusiasm has earned him praise from his Vietnamese in-laws.

Cheo's love for Vietnamese cuisine began with bánh chưng and bánh tét, which he found unique due to their sticky rice texture and savory filling.

While he has yet to master wrapping the cakes himself, he assists in the process by washing leaves and tying the cakes before boiling. He and Thuy often stay up late with family members, tending to the pot of simmering cakes until they are ready.

On New Year’s Eve, Cheo ensures he is home early to celebrate with the family. He also helps with meal preparation and cleaning up afterward.

His willingness to assist in all household tasks, including washing dishes, has endeared him to his in-laws.

On the first morning of the Lunar New Year, Cheo and Thuy dress in festive clothing and visit relatives. One year, he was chosen to xông đất, a role believed to bring luck for the entire year. He carefully followed the family’s instructions and even practiced Vietnamese New Year greetings in advance.

Tet was a cultural revelation for Cheo. In his first year, he was surprised by the lively atmosphere as families gathered, prepared offerings, and cooked special meals. He was particularly intrigued by tảo mộ, a ritual of visiting ancestors' graves, which he had never experienced before.

One of his most amusing experiences was learning about the custom of avoiding sweeping the house during the first three days of Tet, as it is believed to sweep away good fortune. Unaware of this, he once cleaned up after a meal and was quickly stopped by his mother-in-law. Once Thuy explained the significance, he was fascinated by the belief and has respected it ever since.

Now, after five years of celebrating Tet in Vietnam, Cheo no longer feels like an outsider. He understands and appreciates the traditions, making the Lunar New Year a time of deep connection with his wife’s family.

As usual, this year, Cheo and Thuy prioritized spending Tet with family, cherishing the rare moments of togetherness after a busy year.