Lunar New Year (Vietnamese name Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet) is the biggest festival of the year for Vietnamese people. Tet is based on the lunar calendar, usually from late January to February that is also the time when members return home together. New year preparations are bustling in a joyful atmosphere with exciting activities.
TET HOLIDAYS FOOD
Chung cake (Banh Chung)
Every year on the occasion of Tet, many generations of families gather to pack Banh Chung from 2 to 3 days before Tet. Banh Chung is made from glutinous rice, pork, and mung beans wrapped in Dong leaf (or Banana leaf) and boiled overnight. Banh Chung has long been an indispensable kind of cake in Tet occasion of the Vietnamese people
Pickled Onions
Most Tet dishes are greasy foods. Pickled Onions with a sour taste are great dishes to reduce the fatness of dish, but the smell of this dish is not attractive. Besides Banh Chung, Pickled Onions is also an indispensable dish for the Tet holidays.
Jam
Jam usually includes items like apple jam, ginger jam, coconut jam, etc. These dishes are used to welcome guests to Tet
In addition to the above dishes, the Vietnamese tray also has many delicious Tet dishes such as fried spring rolls, boiled chicken, boiled meat, etc.
THE TREES AND FLOWERS IN TET HOLIDAYS
Peach blossoms and Apricot blossom
When the peach petals, the apricot blossom is also the time of Tet. Peach blossoms only appear in the Northern of Vietnam with bright pink color symbolizing luck and happiness. The Southern Apricot blossoms of Vietnam has a yellow color symbol of wealth and prosperity. Missing these two flowers is the lack of distinctive colors Tet
Neu Tree
Neu trees are often erected in rural areas of Vietnam during Tet. The tree is about 5 – 6 meters high. It is believed that the erected of Neu trees on Tet will have luck
TET CUSTOMS
The Lunar New Year lasted for three days. On the first day of the year, people often visit each other homes to spend their best wishes. The children receive lucky money from adults. Besides, in the first days of the year, Vietnamese people often go to pagodas to pray for luck and peace
FESTIVALS
After Tet Holidays, traditional festivals are held with specific characteristics of each region such as boat racing, wrestling, etc.
Tet is not only a simple festival but also an opportunity to return to its roots.
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