Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết), the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is one of the most significant celebrations in Vietnamese culture. It is a special time for families to reunite, honour their ancestors, and look ahead with hope for a year of health, happiness, and prosperity. Many people visit temples or meditate at monasteries during this period, offering prayers and reflecting on the year to come.
To honour this beautiful tradition, we recently organised a “Vietnamese Monasteries and Local Finds” social outing for our Vietnamese community group. In celebration of Tết, the group travelled to the peaceful countryside of Bilpin to visit a local Vietnamese monastery. Surrounded by nature and a calm atmosphere, everyone embraced the spiritual setting and cultural traditions before enjoying a relaxed lunch together in Richmond.
During the trip, Thi Be shared stories of Vietnamese New Year traditions and surprised everyone with homemade Bánh tét, a traditional sticky rice cake that is an essential part of Tết celebrations. Bánh tét is made with layers of glutinous rice, mung beans, and pork, while a sweet variation includes sticky rice, coconut milk, and banana. Carefully wrapped in banana leaves, the cake is slowly boiled for several hours. Bánh tét is often made and shared among family members in the days leading up to the New Year. Sharing her homemade cake made the celebration even more meaningful for everyone.
Thi Be brought Bánh tét Traditional Vietnamese food for the group to celebrate Lunar New Year. Thi Be has been using our services for more than 10 years, alongside her sister, Thi Hang. Although they no longer live in the same home, our Social Outings give them opportunities to reconnect, spend quality time together, and create new memories on each trip. Both sisters are members of our Vietnamese social group. Established more than 10 years ago, the group has built strong friendships through shared language, culture, and life experiences. Members enjoy monthly outings and decide together where they would like to go, creating a sense of ownership and connection.
The group leader, Paula, plays an important role in supporting members. She assists with communicating program information, coordinating bookings, and ensuring everyone understands the details — especially those who are not fluent in English.
As Paula explains:
“Sometimes people don’t mind where we go — they just want to see each other. They enjoy sitting on the bus, watching the scenery, and talking with friends. It helps them feel connected and not lonely, especially for those who live on their own.”
Thi Be shares:
“I am always happy to go on trips with this group. It gives me the opportunity to connect with friends who speak the same language and share a similar cultural background. I enjoy meeting people, building friendships, and travelling together with them.”
At the heart of the Vietnamese Group is friendship, belonging, and cultural connection. Through shared experiences and regular social engagement, members continue to build confidence, reduce isolation, and celebrate life together — not only during Tết, but all year round.
