With the Malaysian Government currently tightening COVID-19 restriction measures, the Vietnamese embassy did not hold a traditional community Tet gathering as annually. However, in order to meet expatriates’ aspirations to look to the homeland every Tet, the embassy left its door open for them to come for incense offering, while abiding by the host country’s pandemic prevention and control regulations.
In a warm atmosphere imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity, Ambassador Tran Viet Thai wished the entire OV community in Malaysia a new year of good health, happiness and success, encouraging them to further promote the Vietnamese tradition of mutual love, caring and aid.
He asked expatriates to comply with Malaysia’s regulations and protect their health amidst the complicated developments of the pandemic as well as integrating more deeply with their host country and coordinating well with the embassy.
Second Secretary at the Vietnamese embassy Vu Duc Minh said that despite not organising a traditional community Tet celebration, the embassy made phone calls to grasp expatriates’ aspirations, while coordinating with various associations to present Tet gifts to Vietnamese workers in Johor state, which accommodates the largest OV community in Malaysia.
At the New Year incense-offering ceremony, OVs shared memories and sentiments towards their families and the homeland, as well as their difficulties in the context of COVID-19.
