Year-end parties: Time of joy or source of stress?

Holiday parties are an opportunity for people to unwind after a year of hard work and dedication. However, as the saying goes, "too much of a good thing can be a bad thing," and for many, the year-end season comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges.

In today’s Words on the Street column of The Hanoi Times, we'll share our perspective on the year-end celebrations and how they can become a nightmare for many Vietnamese because of the so-called drinking culture.

As of today, December 19, there are only five days until Christmas and twelve days until the end of the Gregorian calendar year. Looking ahead, workers will enjoy the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday from January 25 to February 2, 2025.

This means that over just a month and a half, the Vietnamese people will throw a variety of year-end parties to mark the end of both the solar and lunar years.

A holiday party is about more than food and drink. It's a time for friends to reconnect, colleagues to bond, and families to gather. Beverages like beer and wine act as social lubricants, helping people open up and engage in heartfelt conversations.

For the Vietnamese, drinking isn't just about cuisine; it's also a social ritual. Year-end celebrations allow people to express gratitude, strengthen relationships, and look forward to a better year.

From large corporations to small groups of friends, every gathering carries a common message: "Thank you for being part of this journey, and here's to a brighter future."

But not everyone is comfortable with the year-end drinking culture.

In addition to meeting pre-holiday deadlines, many Vietnamese face the added pressure of preparing their homes for the New Year, purchasing festive goods, and tactfully managing their social obligations.

Nam Ha, a white-collar employee from Lo Duc Street, said he drinks almost every day at the end of the year - not only with his co-workers but also with a group of lifelong friends he has known for 20-30 years.

"Our group consists of about 10 people who have been friends since elementary school. We don't see each other much during the year because everyone has their own lives. It wouldn't feel right not to take some time to catch up at the end of the year," he said.

Ha admitted that he doesn't like to drink much, but sometimes he has to attend such gatherings to keep in touch with others.

"The most stressful are the weekday evening parties. Not all meetings can be scheduled for Friday or Saturday nights, so we have to meet whenever everyone is available," he said.

"I still have to work the next day, tired and sleepy, but the work has to get done. It's just part of the culture that we have to accept and follow.

Ha's feelings echo the frustrations of many others. "You don't want to go, but you have to sometimes," seems to be the common mindset among office workers when the holiday party season arrives.

In the corporate environment, holiday parties are often about more than just having fun. They can have an element of "performance. Not attending or refusing to drink is sometimes perceived as being unsociable or disrespectful to the team, putting many people in an awkward position, especially those who don't enjoy drinking alcohol.

The culture of coercing others to drink, while less prevalent than it once was, remains a thorny issue. Its consequences range from heated arguments and loss of self-control to more serious risks such as traffic accidents, endangering both individual lives and public safety.

“Drinking a lot is bad for your health. Everyone knows that, but there are times when you just can’t say no,” Ha said.

Aside from the health risks, attending too many parties also takes a toll on people's finances.

"Joining a party at a restaurant costs hundreds of thousands or millions of dong, not to mention transportation costs," said Duc Quan, a resident of Dong Da District.

For those driving themselves, there's also the risk of hefty fines for driving with alcohol, especially in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Throwing parties at home is an alternative, but it comes with its own set of challenges.

"When you and your buddies get together at home, there's the hassle of cooking and cleaning up. Plus, your family might get annoyed because the leftovers from drinking gatherings can be messy,” Quan explained.

What began as a positive cultural tradition - a way to strengthen bonds and express gratitude - has become an unwelcome burden for some.

It's time to shift our perspective and make year-end parties a truly meaningful experience. These gatherings can be much more enjoyable if everyone practices moderation and respects personal boundaries.

We should respect individual choices - whether our friends choose to drink or not, it's not our decision. Plus, prioritizing health and safety, using public transportation, and finding alternative ways to party can help make holiday celebrations a more enjoyable time.

As the year ends, what matters most is that everyone feels happy, connected, and ready for a fresh start. Let's make sure holiday parties are cherished memories, not sources of stress.