4/2 – In the vibrant atmosphere of spring, the Genee had the opportunity to “touch” the Tet of the past through an experiential learning activity at the Vietnamese Ethnic Groups’ Tet Exhibition, where Tet was portrayed not only through artefacts, but also through the cultural stories of different regions.
Each student explored traditional customs, festive cuisine, Tet attire, and distinctive cultural features of ethnic groups across the country. Through their discoveries, the students learned that the H’Mông celebrate Tet earlier than the Lunar New Year, marking the most important time of the year for family reunions and expressing gratitude to ancestors. The Tày people prepare “bánh chưng” and “bánh khảo”, decorate their homes with red parallel sentences, and send wishes for a prosperous new year. For the Khmer community, Chol Chnam Thmay is a vibrant festival deeply connected to Theravada Buddhism. Meanwhile, the Chăm people observe their own traditional rituals, praying for favourable weather and a peaceful life.
From drawings and mind maps to carefully crafted models, the exhibition vividly brought to life the rich colours of traditional Tet celebrations across the S-shaped land of Vietnam. Each piece not only depicted cultural practices, spiritual life, and folk stories, but also reflected pride and respect for cherished traditional values.
The exhibition offered Genees a meaningful opportunity to explore the traditional Lunar New Year, nurturing a love for culture and a spirit of respect for diversity – values that will accompany them throughout their journey of growing up.
