Describe a festival that is important in your country.

You should say:

• what it is
• when it happens
• what people do

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"Well, to be honest, when thinking about a festival that truly matters in my country, Tet—or the Lunar New Year—instantly springs to mind. It usually takes place in late January or early February, marking the start of spring and the arrival of a fresh new lunar year.

In the weeks leading up to the festival, streets turn vibrant with yellow apricot blossoms and red lanterns. What people love doing most is returning to their hometowns. Houses are thoroughly cleaned to wash away bad luck, and families gather together to cook traditional feasts. When I was younger, we'd sit by a huge boiling pot all night with my grandmother, carefully wrapping sticky rice cakes and sharing childhood stories.

What makes Tet particularly meaningful to me is that it strengthens our family roots. Although our modern lives can be quite hectic, everyone pauses their work to visit relatives, exchange heartfelt wishes, and honour ancestors. It has been passed down for generations, so it keeps our cultural heritage alive."

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"Well, to be honest, I'd say traditions give us a strong sense of identity. In our fast-moving world, it's easy to feel disconnected, but rituals like holiday feasts anchor people to their roots. Also, when practices are passed down through families, they create shared memories across generations. My granddad, for instance, still gathers everyone for annual reunions, and that brings a deep feeling of belonging. So basically, without these living customs, communities would quickly lose touch with who they truly are."

"Yes, definitely. I mean, modern celebrations have become heavily commercialised compared to the past. Years ago, people focused on spiritual rituals and family meals, whereas today, shopping malls and social media photos dominate the season. You see flashy promotions everywhere, and many folks buy stuff just to show off online. Having said that, technology isn't all bad. It actually lets families living abroad connect instantly over video calls during celebrations. So while the outward spectacle changes rapidly, the core spirit of reunion mostly survives."

"To be honest, it's a double-edged sword. On the one hand, visitors bring welcome income for local artisans and food vendors, which helps keep unique traditions financially viable. On the flip side, massive tourist crowds often lead to overcrowded streets and littering. When sacred rituals turn into crowded tourist attractions, authentic customs risk losing their dignity. So in my view, city councils need strict visitor caps. If we manage the crowds wisely, tourism can protect local culture rather than dilute it."

"I completely agree they should. Children learn best when they engage in hands-on activities rather than memorising dry facts from textbooks. For example, rolling rice dumplings or making folk masks in art class helps them appreciate cultural customs naturally. It also nurtures respect for community elders who preserve these skills. When young people discover why their ancestors celebrated specific dates, they feel proud of their heritage. In short, teaching traditions early guarantees our heritage won't vanish as society modernises."