On December 26th of the lunar calendar (February 13th), Mr. Nguyen Van Tien (resident of Phu Huu commune, An Giang province) finished his last shift at a business in Ho Chi Minh City. Just finished his shift, he hurriedly returned to his rented room to pack his belongings. The old motorbike was tied with two large and small gift bags, including cakes, jams, new clothes for his children, and some city specialties to bring back to his hometown as gifts.
Working all year just looking forward to these days. No matter how tired I am, I try to come home early to help clean the house and worship the ancestors," Mr. Tien shared.
More than 250km from Ho Chi Minh City to his hometown of An Giang, he drove for nearly 7 hours. The road back to his hometown in the days leading up to Tet was crowded, but everyone shone with excitement. When he just arrived at the beginning of the hamlet, he saw relatives standing in front of the gate waiting.
For me, Tet doesn't need to buy many things. Just need the whole family to be present at the meal table, that's enough," Mr. Tien said.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tien shared that a year working far from home was a series of days saving every penny. Living in a cramped rented room in the heart of the city, with hasty meals after work and short video calls just to see his child's face... all accumulated into longing. That hardship seemed to disappear when he set foot on the familiar village road, being reunited with loved ones during Tet.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (resident of Phu Huu commune, An Giang province) said that this year she arranged to take a break earlier than every year to return to her hometown to prepare for Tet with her family. After many months working as a worker in Ho Chi Minh City, her biggest wish is still to sit with her parents during the year-end meal.
Tet is not only a milestone of time, but also a meeting point of love. No need for a lavish feast, no need for luxurious new clothes, just a meal with enough parents, spouses, children and relatives sitting close together, that's enough to alleviate the hardships of a year," Ms. Tuyen said.
According to Ms. Tuyen, working far away is to take care of her family, so that her children have a more fulfilling life. But it is family that is the motivation for her to continue trying. "If there were no relatives waiting in my hometown, I would probably hardly have overcome the tiring working days in a foreign land. When the Tet meal is served, the sound of bowls and chopsticks gently touching, laughter mixed with New Year wishes echoes, then the children away from home truly feel the full meaning of the two words reunion," Ms. Tuyen expressed.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen also said that in the days leading up to Tet, the roads from Ho Chi Minh City to the western provinces and cities are busier than usual. On passenger cars, on motorbikes full of luggage, workers bring not only gifts but also the desire to return. Some people travel hundreds of kilometers in the night, some people accept fatigue to be on time for the year-end meal with their families.
Binh Ngo Tet 2026, therefore, is not only the moment of transition to the new year, but also the return of family affection. In the small house in the riverine countryside, the family meal is simple but warmer than ever. Outside the porch, yellow apricot blossoms are blooming, in the house there is a cheerful laughter. After a year of struggling, the most precious thing for workers is still to return, to live fully in the love and waiting of the family.
For me, Tet is not about luxury, but about the moment the whole family gathers together, raises a cup of tea, and exchanges peaceful wishes for a new year of fullness and happiness," Ms. Tuyen said.
