The New Year is coming soon. Last year, since I didn’t return to my home country, I spent my first New Year in Japan. I wonder how the New Year in Japan differs from that in Vietnam.

I am an international student, and my part-time job is delivering newspapers. Therefore, even on New Year’s Day in Japan, I have to work. In Vietnam, everyone takes a holiday during the New Year.

Last year, I went to the shop at 2 am on January 1st. All the staff had gathered. I was surprised when everyone said “Happy New Year” to me. At that time, I didn’t know anything about Japanese customs, so the manager explained that it’s a New Year’s greeting said when meeting someone for the first time in the new year. It’s the same in Vietnam. I was happy about everyone’s kindness.

After preparing the newspapers, I started my delivery. While delivering, I noticed something round hanging at the gates of customers’ houses. It’s made of straw and called a “Shimekazari.” It’s decorated to pray for a safe year.

After finishing delivering the newspapers on New Year’s Day, when I returned to the shop, the manager gave me a cup of noodles and Chu-Hi. I thanked the manager and went home, ate the cup noodles, and went to sleep.

I had promised to go to the temple with my friends at 8 am. I thought Japanese temples would be quiet, but on New Year’s Day, many people gathered, and it was very lively, almost like being in Vietnam.

I think the New Year in Japan is quite similar to that in Vietnam. Both Japanese and Vietnamese New Years are beautiful. Going to shrines or temples to pray for good luck for the year is the same in both countries.