Reporter (R): Can you describe your feelings in these pre-Tet days with two or three adjectives? Why did you choose these words?

Duc Anh (DA): To address my feelings about the days close to Tet, I will use two words: heartwarming and nervous. I'm nervous because I can't wait to know if my Tet this year will be different from every other year. And heartwarming is how I feel when I think about the moment I reunite with my family and loved ones during Tet.

Dam Thuyen (DT): I would like to choose three words to express my emotions: eager, joyous and concerned, for no matter how old I am, my feelings about Tet remain unaltered to when I was a little child. It is the thrill and anticipation for Tet to make Chung cakes or to see the peach and apricot blossoms blooming. Besides, with this year’s Tet, I am also a little worried about my and my family’s health in the context of the currently stressful COVID-19 pandemic.

R: Does the present pandemic situation affect your Tet celebration?

DA: Fortunately, while the pandemic has been problematic in the last two years, it didn't affect my family’s plans for Tet much. However, my family and I always maintain a motto when celebrating Tet, which is being safe by social distancing, but still very sweet.

DT: Actually, for me, Tet is always in our mind. Tet doesn’t only come from images, sounds, and scenery, but it also comes alive in every Vietnamese spirit. That’s why, no matter how troublesome the pandemic is, it can’t stop my family and me from enjoying a warm and happy Tet.

The two students are very meticulous and attentive when looking after the cake pot

R: Do you, your class or the club you participate in have any plans or activities for this Tet?

DA: At the moment, I don't have many plans for Tet besides going back to my hometown to celebrate it with my family. However, I was luckily chosen by Ms Hong Anh to take part in making Chung cake for my Youth Branch, which is class 11 Math 1. It was indeed very surprising and memorable for me.

DT: Maybe I will use this time to clean and refurbish the house and participate in volunteering activities to help everyone have a happy Tet. Recently, my Youth Branch organized a charity Chung cake-making session. This is certainly a spectacular opportunity for my friends and me to further experience and preserve the national tradition of making Chung cakes for Tet—which is fading away in the city.

Photo of Duc Anh and Dam Thuyen in the volunteering session to make Chung Cake with the school’s Youth Union Branch

R: As someone who lent a hand in the charity Chung cake-making event with the Youth Union Branch, what do you think about volunteer work, in general, every New Year?

DA: I think charitable services on the Tet holiday are a chance to help us get closer to each other and share hardships with less-fortunate people, and from there, create a heartwarming Tet.

DT: I'm really happy that our Youth Branch organized a Chung cake-making charity event. Personally, I think this kind of work is extremely meaningful because it provides disadvantaged children and lonely elders a warmer Tet. Although it's just a Chung cake, Vietnamese pork bologna or a few wishes, I believe that those who receive them will find Tet somewhat happier.

R: If you can go back to school after Tet this year, what do you intend to do?

DA: If I have a chance to go back to school after Tet, the first thing I want to do is go to the school’s football field to watch the matches. I really miss the times when I could relish in the atmosphere of sitting in the bleachers to watch everyone, especially my class playing in the Ams Cup. On top of that, I will also wait until the canteen is reopened to savour the taste of sticky rice, bread and milo milk.

DT: I think if I can go back to school after Tet this year, I will continue to engage in social projects. I am in my youth, so I want to help spread love to other regions and places, those which endure harsh circumstances in particular, especially when we are amid COVID-19 pandemic like this.

R: Finally, please send a few wishes to the readers of Ams Wide Web!

DA: On the occasion of Tet of the Tiger 2022, I’d like to wish Ams Wide Web’s readers abundant health and lots of joy to celebrate a blissful Tet with their families. Furthermore, I hope everyone can achieve their upcoming goals.

DT: As a new year and a new spring is on the horizon, I wish Ams Wide Web’s audience a merry and jubilant Tet with family and loved ones. Wish you good results in the new school term. Happy New Year!

R: Thank you both for this heartwarming interview! I hope you all enjoy a happy and cheerful Tet with friends and family!

Finally, on behalf of Ams Wide Web's editorial board, we wish you a happy, warm but equally safe Tet to be ready for the upcoming year with lots of magnificent success.

Reporter: Nguyen Lan Huong - History 2023

Photo source: the Youth Union Branch of class 11 Math 1 provided

Translator: Tran Linh Ngan - 2124