In Vietnamese, hoa sứ means ‘porcelain flower’. This milky white flower with a lemon-yellow tinge has an enamoring scent that draws me, the perfume citrusy and sweet; rich and refreshing in the heat of the day or during a humid evening. On the eve of the Lunar New Year I am transported to memories of my Vietnamese Chinese heritage, the senses and traditions remaining potent today.

Hope characterises the Year of the Rabbit in 2023. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is known to be the luckiest of all the twelve animals, symbolising mercy, elegance, and beauty. Chúc mừng Năm Mới !

I wish you abundance in health and happiness.