Every year, Ho Chi Minh City Open University joyfully welcomes a large number of new friends from all over the world. In the bustling rhythm of the transition between the old and the new year, Vietnamese culture acts like an invisible magnet, skillfully drawing multi-national hearts closer together. At HCMCOU, Tet is no longer a foreign concept; it has become a journey where students truly “live” and fully embrace the value of togetherness.
Embracing Traditions: When the Ao Dai Tells a Story of Integration
The highlight of this year’s Spring lies in the proactive spirit of our “friends from afar.” Without waiting for organized programs, groups of students from Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia spontaneously arranged to wear traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai to stroll through the streets and celebrate the Spring, just like true Vietnamese youth.
Observing the way they cherish the Ao Dai or sit together relaxing at Ho Chi Minh City’s historic landmarks reveals a magical bond.
Lukashova Taisiya from Turkmenistan excitedly shared: “In my country, the New Year is associated with cold winters, but Tet in Vietnam is closely tied to nature and Spring. I really love the way people wear Ao Dai to offer New Year greetings; it carries a profound cultural hallmark and is truly beautiful.”
Ethnic Tet Festival: A Cultural Classroom in the Heart of the Campus
To provide international students with a deeper understanding of traditional customs and values, the Ethnic Tet Festival held right on campus has become a special experiential occasion. Here, students do not just observe; they directly participate in folk games, explore the meaning of the “Five-Fruit Tray,” and learn about Vietnamese New Year customs.
The university’s recreation of the traditional Tet space helps international students “decode” their cultural curiosities.
Khulan Aldarsaikhan from Mongolia confided: “I have only been in Vietnam for three months, and I am truly impressed by the vibrant decorations at the school. Through the activities at the Festival, I understand more about the meaning of reunion and Vietnamese hospitality. The learning environment here offers not only knowledge but also warm cultural experiences.”
“Hương sắc Tết Việt”: A Touchpoint of Heritage at the Ao Dai Museum
The experiential journey continued with the music exchange program “Hương sắc Tết Việt” (The Fragrance and Colors of Vietnamese Tet) held on January 25, 2026. Within the ancient space of the Ao Dai Museum, international students enjoyed “uniquely familiar” experiences, such as weaving coconut leaves, painting piggy banks, and watching artisans mold To He (toy figurines). In particular, they learned about the history and evolution of the national dress through different eras, sensing the aesthetic depth of the Vietnamese soul.
Spring Volunteers: Happiness in the Hands that Give
Beyond learning and festivities, international students at HCMCOU actively “rolled up their sleeves” across the fronts of the Spring Volunteer Campaign. The energetic yellow shirts erased all national barriers as everyone joined hands to wrap Banh Tet, decorate shelters, and bring gifts to those in difficult circumstances.
Clementine Louise Cortez Laporga from the Philippines shared her reflections: “Vietnamese Tet shares many similarities with the Philippines in terms of ancestral remembrance and family bonding. Volunteering with Vietnamese friends helped me feel their kindness and friendliness. The smiles on everyone’s faces when receiving Tet gifts make me cherish the value of sharing even more.”
Threads of Heritage: A Runway for Global Identities
Alongside the spirit of sharing, the multi-colored cultural breeze was powerfully ignited through the online photo contest “Threads of Heritage.” This was not just a talent playground but a place where heritage values spoke with pride. Every frame submitted told a story: from the vibrant traditional dresses of Laos and Cambodia to the proud traditional costumes of Mongolia, together creating a beautiful tapestry of cultural intersection on the Ho Chi Minh City Open University fanpage.
The Tet journey of international students at HCMCOU has proven that when hearts are warm enough, all cultural differences become bridges of connection. Their enthusiasm has made Spring in Vietnam more radiant and meaningful than ever before.