Celebrating Lunar New Year has always been one of the most important moments of the year for me. Growing up in Vietnam, it is the time when families come together, homes are filled with the smell of traditional food, and everyone slows down to welcome a new beginning. It is warm, busy, and full of love. So when I moved to the UK to study at the University of Exeter, I often wondered what Lunar New Year would feel like so far away from home. This year, I celebrated my first Lunar New Year on campus and it turned out to be much more meaningful than I had imagined.
Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important celebration for many countries across East Asia and Southeast Asia. For students studying abroad, this time of year can feel a little emotional. While our families back home are preparing big meals, decorating their houses, and visiting relatives, we are thousands of miles away. It is easy to feel homesick. That is why having a Lunar New Year celebration at Exeter, organised by the University with the support of the Exeter Students' Guild and the School of Education department, meant so much to many of us.
The celebration itself was full of colour, music and laughter. Students gathered to share food from different cultures, including Vietnam, Korea, Thailand and China. There were also fun activities like chopstick challenges and making red packets. When I walked into the room, the decorations, traditional outfits and the lively conversations immediately created a festive atmosphere. In that moment, it felt comforting to see so many people coming together to celebrate. What made the event even more special was the feeling of connection. People from different backgrounds joined the celebration, curious to learn about each other’s traditions and happy to welcome the new year together. We talked, laughed, took photos and shared stories about how our families celebrate at home. Even though many of us were far from our countries, it felt reassuring to know we were not experiencing this moment alone.
I also had the chance to take part in Lunar New Year activities organised by the Vietnamese Society. One of the highlights was making chưng cake, a traditional Vietnamese sticky rice cake that is always prepared for the New Year. We also shared a year-end party together. Being able to enjoy Vietnamese food during Lunar New Year in Exeter felt very special. Sitting with other Vietnamese friends, speaking our language and sharing familiar dishes made the moment feel warm and close to home.
Celebrating Lunar New Year abroad is certainly different from celebrating it in Vietnam, but it can also be deeply meaningful. It reminds us how important community is, especially when we are far from our families. Seeing the University support cultural celebrations like this shows that Exeter truly values the diversity of its students and wants everyone to feel welcome.
For me, this first Lunar New Year at Exeter will always be memorable. It reminded me that home is not only a place, sometimes it is the people around you who make you feel that you belong, even when you are thousands of miles away.
Author: Phuong Anh Kieu