Vietnamese Tet Celebrations and Traditions
The Lunar New Year (Tet) is Vietnam's most important holiday. A number of traditional and meaningful customs are practiced as people pray for a new year of peace, luck, wealth, and prosperity.
Tet is a time for family members to reunite, talk with each other beside the flickering flame of a Chung cake pot, or gather around hearty Tet trays. Here are some well-loved traditions that Vietnamese families observe during the Lunar New Year:
1. CHUNG CAKE MAKING
Chung Cake is a traditional dish that dates back to the era of the Hung Kings and is still essential in Vietnamese Tet celebrations today. As a symbolic gift, the process of making Chung Cake is time-consuming and requires the contributions of several people; thus, it is the perfect opportunity for family members to come together.
2. “MAM NGU QUA” OR FIVE-FRUIT TRAY
The five-fruit tray is offered on the ancestral altar to pay gratitude to ancestors as well as symbolize the aspiration for prosperity for the new year. A five-fruit tray is usually composed of a handful of green bananas, a ripe pomelo, oranges, persimmons, sapodilla plums, and a bunch of kumquats, and in recent years, one can add mangoes and grapes from southern Vietnam or apples and pears from China. Although it is called a "five fruit tray," it does not necessarily contain just five kinds of fruit.
3. FLOWER DECORATIONS
Flowers are an important part of the celebration. Peach blossoms in the north, apricot blossoms in the south, kumquat trees, and other flowers such as orchids, lilies, chrysanthemums, daffodils, and others representing luck, happiness, and wealth for the family adorn streets and homes throughout the festivities.
4. TET TRAY
In the first days of the new year, every family, regardless from region they are from, prepares the best dishes and rice trays to wish for a lucky new year. In each region, the Tet rice tray has its own special items, depending on customs and culture. People in the Central region prepare a full plate of rice to offer to their ancestors with the hope of a favorable new year and favorable rain and wind.
5. PICKING BUDS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR
During Tet, people usually pick buds and go to pagodas to pray for good luck and fortune. According to the belief, buds symbolize what has taken form—its short life must be valued and nurtured so that its vitality and beauty continue to give hope and optimism for the future.
6. LUCKY MONEY
For a child, perhaps the most enjoyable part of Tết is receiving little red envelopes. The amount of lucky money, big or small, does not matter; the sincerity and heart of the giver are more important.
7. CALLIGRAPHY
Calligraphy gifting is a unique, ancient Vietnamese tradition that has special significance during Tet. Tet calligraphy includes words like "Tâm” (heart), “Phúc” (happiness), “Đức” (virtue), "An” (peace), "Lộc” (prosperity), “Thọ" (longevity), and "Phát" (development) that express well wishes for the new year.
8. FOLK GAMES
Tet folk games are rich in cultural and traditional aspects. They help to make the Tet atmosphere more vibrant and exciting and bring people together. Some of the more popular folk games played include Monkey Bridge, Bamboo Dance, Beat Watermelon, Throwing Cotton Ball Game, Đánh Yến Game, High Walking Game, and more!
While Tet holiday customs may take different forms from region to region, spending time with family and ringing in the new year with good luck are at the forefront of the celebrations.
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