A comparison of Spring Festival customs between China and Vietnam: family reunion and bidding farewell to the old year versus ancestor worship and heritage, each with its own emphasis.春节点不同，心意相通 - Different Spring Festival Focus, Shared Heartfelt Wishes [HSK 4]Download the app here:Chinese Short Dialogue | App StoreChinese Short Dialogue | Google PlayAvailable in 8 languages on the app:Chinese Listening | 중국어 리스닝 | 中国語リスニング | Аудирование по китайскому языку | Nghe tiếng Trung | Mendengarkan bahasa Mandarin | Escucha en chino | การฟังภาษาจีน | Chinesisches Hören | Écoute du chinois | Ascolto cinese | Audição em chinês | चीनी सुनना | الاستماع إلى اللغة الصينية《English Translation》刘娜: 小潘, you’re from Vietnam. Could you briefly explain in Chinese? What’s different about your Spring Festival compared with China’s?小潘: In Vietnam, the New Year places more emphasis on “ancestors.” On New Year’s Eve, we put lots of food in front of the altar, and the whole family prays together for blessings.刘娜: In China, we also honor ancestors, but many families nowadays emphasize “a new start” and family reunion more—for example, having the New Year’s Eve dinner together and watching the Spring Festival Gala.小潘: Yes. The first time I watched the Spring Festival Gala in Beijing, it felt like a huge show where the whole country celebrates together—so lively.刘娜: Right. Chinese people often say “bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new,” meaning we hope to put down last year’s troubles and welcome new good luck.小潘: Vietnam has a similar idea, but we feel more that “our ancestors celebrate the New Year with us,” which makes us feel especially at ease.刘娜: That reminds me of a saying: no matter where you celebrate the New Year, what matters most is the care and blessings in your heart.小潘: I agree. Even though the ways are different, we all hope the home becomes warmer and the new year becomes better.

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