On the occasion of this year's Lunar New Year, many leaders of foreign countries have extended greetings or congratulations to Vietnam.

In the culture of some Asian countries, including Vietnam, the lunar year 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, the third among 12 animals in the Vietnamese Zodiac sequence.

The Year of the Tiger runs from Feb. 1, 2022, to Jan. 21, 2023, according to the Zodiac.

The tiger, considered the “Lord of the Forest”, is a symbol of braveness. Therefore, Tiger people are thought to be brave, have strong confidence and high leadership capacity. They can endure pressure, and are willing to support people around them.

General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. Photo: VNA

General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and other senior leaders of Laos sent their congratulatory messages to their Vietnamese counterparts on the occasion of the Lunar New Year Festival, VNA reported on Jan. 30.

In his message sent to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, the top Lao leader wished Vietnamese leaders and people good health, happiness, peace and prosperity on the traditional Lunar New Year.

The same day, Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane also extended their New Year greetings to Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

President of the Cambodian People’s Party and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen have made phone calls, extending his greetings to senior leaders of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Vietnamese State on the occasion of the Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival and the 92nd founding anniversary of the CPV.

In the phone call with General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, the two leaders agreed that both sides should promote and expand the bilateral cooperation in various areas, including politics, security, national defence, economy and connectivity, while supporting each other at international and regional forums.

The same day, PM Hun Sen also made phone calls, extending his Tet greetings to President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and PM Pham Minh Chinh.

On this occasion, Cambodia’s National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin and Senate President Samdech Say Chhum sent letters of congratulations to National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

They wished the Vietnamese people happiness, peace and prosperity on the traditional festival.

President of France Emmanuel Macron. Photo: AFP/VNA

President of France Emmanuel Macron has extended his greetings on the occasion of the 2022 Tet festival, which is celebrated in many Asian nations, including Vietnam.

In his tweet on Feb. 1 or the first day of the Lunar New Year, to all those celebrating the Lunar New Year, the French President said "I wish you happiness, health and success.”

He emphasised that the tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year festival serves as heritage that contributes to the life of the European country, adding that many families in France inherit or maintain their bonds with Asian nations.

Marcron took the occasion to condemn racial discrimination targeting the Asian community.

Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, extended warm wishes to Vietnamese people across the globe on occasion of the Lunar New Year in a statement issued on Feb. 1.

This is an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year, and to look forward to the year ahead with optimism, joy, and hope, he said, noting the Vietnamese New Year is also an occasion to recognize many contributions by the Vietnamese-Canadian community.

"On behalf of all Canadians, I wish everyone celebrating health, good fortune, and prosperity in the Year of the Tiger.

"CHÚC MỪNG NĂM MỚI"

In a Lunar New Year message, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also sent his best wishes to the Vietnamese community living and working in Australia and everyone celebrating the festival.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping shaking hands. Photo: VNA

Earlier, on Jan. 25, Party General Secretary of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping also exchanged the 2022 lunar New Year greetings, according to VOV.

Looking forward to 2022, they agreed to maintain regular exchanges to develop the Vietnam - China relations under the motto of good neighbors, good comrades, good friends, and good partners.

They suggested that the ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries seriously implement high-level common perceptions, promote substantive cooperation in economy, trade and investment, as well as people-to-people exchanges in various forms, and closely cooperate in pandemic prevention and control.

They also agreed that both countries will work closely together to well handle disagreements through peaceful negotiations, in accordance with international law, contributing to strengthening the friendly neighborliness, and comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership between Vietnam and China.

Overseas Vietnamese Across Nations Celebrate Lunar New Year Vietnamese nationals living across the world are celebrating the traditional Lunar New Year in a festive atmosphere

Australian Consul General Family's First Tet in Ho Chi Minh City Wearing ao dai, the acting consul-general told their feelings about their first Tet in Vietnam and the prospect of the bilateral relations.

Overseas Artists Fondly Remember Tet in Vietnam Vietnamese artists in the USA tell reporters good memories of Tet in the homeland.