In our host country, Vietnam, we follow the Lunar calendar, and the Lunar New Year, known here as Tết — the most important and widely observed festival of the year. Deeply rooted in history and tradition, Tết marks a time of renewal, family, gratitude, and hope, as communities across the country come together to reflect on the year that has passed and welcome the year ahead. Homes are cleaned and decorated, families reunite in distant hometowns, and customs such as sharing lì xì (lucky money) symbolise good fortune, wellbeing, and care for one another in the new year.
This year, our BIS HCMC community came together once again to mark the transition from the Year of the Snake to the Year of the Horse, embracing the sense of energy, optimism, and forward momentum that the Year of the Horse represents.
As an international school deeply rooted in Vietnam, celebrating and learning about our host country’s culture sits at the heart of our values. While Vietnamese culture and language are woven into learning throughout the year, Tết holds particular significance — offering a powerful opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of tradition, community, and respect. For our Vietnamese students especially, these moments affirm that their heritage is recognised, honoured, and celebrated across our entire school community.
Learning through tradition
Across our three campuses — Early Years & Infant, Junior, and Secondary — Tết was brought to life through hands-on, joyful learning experiences. Our school spaces were awash with the vibrant colours and sounds of the season as students from Foundation Stage 1 through to Sixth Form took part in Tết Fairs, assemblies, traditional games, creative arts, and calligraphy.
On our Early Years and Infants, and Junior campuses, many of these experiences were thoughtfully planned, organised, and led by our Head Vietnamese Teaching Assistants supported by all Vietnamese Teaching Assistants, whose expertise and care ensured celebrations were authentic, meaningful, and accessible for all ages. Students explored traditional games such as Bầu Cua, Tò He, and Châu Chấu Lá Dừa, while learning about the symbolism and stories that sit at the heart of Tết traditions.
These experiences offered far more than festive fun. They provided rich opportunities for experiential learning — helping students build cultural understanding in ways that were age-appropriate, engaging, and memorable.
Our Tet assemblies across campuses further deepened this learning. On our Junior campus, the assembly theme “The Spirit of Neighborliness” encouraged our students to reflect on kindness, generosity, and community — values closely connected to the meaning of Tết. In Secondary, our Tet assemblies were coordinated by the Vietnamese Language teaching team, bringing together music, performance, and storytelling through cultural shows, helping students connect heritage with contemporary expression. Alongside the opportunity to practice the art of calligraphy.
Celebrating together as a whole-school community
One of the most powerful aspects of Tết at BIS HCMC is the way it brings our community together across ages, cultures, and backgrounds. From Early Years to Secondary, students and staff of all nationalities joined in the celebrations — through traditional dress, performances, music, and shared experiences.
On our Secondary campus, celebrations included traditional dragon and lion dances, calligraphy, cultural shows, and musical performances featuring Vietnamese instruments. The sounds of singing, drumming, and laughter echoed across the campus as students eagerly welcomed the arrival of the new year.
These shared moments reflect the inclusive spirit of BIS HCMC — where Vietnamese culture is not only celebrated, but celebrated together, inviting all members of our community to learn from and appreciate the traditions of Vietnam.
Gratitude & respect at the heart of Tết
Tết is also a time to express gratitude, and this theme was woven meaningfully throughout our celebrations. Across our campuses, we hosted Tết Morning Teas in Early Years and Coffee Mornings in Juniors to honour our Vietnamese support staff — recognising the dedication, care, and professionalism they bring to our school every day.
Student Community Ambassadors in both Early Years and Junior campuses played a central role in hosting these events, serving refreshments, sharing words of thanks, and supporting performances alongside student musicians. They were guided and supported throughout by our Community Leaders, whose leadership helped empower students to take ownership, show empathy, and confidently represent the values of our school.
These moments reflected BIS values in action, showing respect not just through words, but through thoughtful, intentional gestures. The partnership between our Teacher Community Leaders and Student Community Ambassadors ensured these celebrations were both meaningful and student-led, strengthening connections across our school community.
We were also grateful for the generosity of our Parent Teacher Group, teachers, and wider community, who supported the sharing of lì xì (lucky money) as a symbol of appreciation and good fortune — adding warmth and meaning to these celebrations.
Strengthening community connections: learning beyond our school
A particularly meaningful aspect of this year’s Tết celebrations was the opportunity to welcome our Binh Tho community partners and their children to join our Year 5 students at the Tết Fair, organised by our wonderful Vietnamese teaching staff.
Binh Tho is one of BIS HCMC’s long-standing community partners. As a non-profit development centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Tho supports disadvantaged and street-connected children and families by providing education, life skills, and nutritional care — helping children build confidence, improve wellbeing, and access greater opportunities for the future.
At the Tết Fair, Binh Tho and BIS children played side by side, taking part in traditional games, arts and crafts activities, and festive treats. They enjoyed foods such as bánh tét, spring rolls, and ice cream, all thoughtfully organised by our Vietnamese teaching team.
It was a joyful day that strengthened our sense of partnership and solidarity, and a meaningful way to share the spirit and celebration of Tết with our wider community.
Service learning and generosity in action
Our community once again demonstrated its commitment to service through our annual Tet Gift Collection.
Thanks to the generosity of our families and staff, we were able to support more than 1,355 children and elderly individuals connected to our community partners. Students across the school — from our youngest learners to our senior Secondary students — contributed by creating Tết cards, notes, and decorations, adding a deeply personal touch to every gift.
For our older students, particularly those in Year 9, packing the Tết gifts became a powerful service-learning experience. Through reflection and discussion, students developed a deeper understanding of privilege, empathy, and responsibility, gaining insight into the lives of others within our wider community.
A celebration of belonging
Tết at BIS HCMC is more than a celebration. It reflects who we are as a school community — international in outlook, deeply connected to Vietnam, and committed to learning that honours culture, tradition, and people.
For our Vietnamese students, Tết affirms that their culture and identity are seen, valued, and celebrated. For our international families, it offers meaningful insight into the traditions of Vietnam. And for our entire community, it is a reminder of the power of learning, gratitude, generosity, and togetherness.
As we welcome the Year of the Horse, we do so with a shared sense of optimism, connection, and pride in the community we continue to build together.
Chúc Mừng Năm Mới – An khang thịnh vượng!
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