![]() ![]() Hoa Dao are the warm pink of the peach blossoms that match well with the dry, cold weather in the north. Hoa Mai are more adaptable to the hot weather of southern regions, thus, it is known as the primary flower in every home. Hoa Mai are the yellow apricot flowers often seen in the southern. ![]() These two distinctive flowers are widely sold and purchased during Tet. Hoa Mai and Hoa Dao (apricot and peach flowers)įlower buds and blossoms are the symbols for new beginning. ![]() The belief of “Xong Dat” still remains nowadays, especially among families with businesses.Ħ. If that particular guest has a good aura (well respected, well educated, successful, famous, etc.), then the family believes that they will receive luck and good fortune throughout the year. Therefore, the first houseguest to offer the first greetings is very important. ![]() “Giao Thua” is the most sacred time of the year. Every single family should offer an open-air ceremony to welcome him back to their kitchen. Giao Thua is also the time for Ong Tao (Kitchen God) to return to the earth after making the report to the Jade Emperor. Thus, Giao Thua (New Year's Eve) is the moment of seeing the old chief end his ruling term and pass his power to the new chief. It is a common belief among Vietnamese people that there are 12 sacred animals from the zodiac taking turn monitoring and controlling the affairs of the earth. However, in a literal translation, it means "Passage from the Old to the New Year". His task is to make an annual report to the Jade Emperor on the family's affairs throughout the year. Seven days (the 23rd night of the last lunar month) prior to Tet, each Vietnamese family offers a farewell ceremony for Ong Tao to go up to Heaven Palace. Farewell ceremony for the Kitchen Gods (Ong Tao) The best outfit is always worn on the first day of the year.ģ. However, children cannot wear their new clothes until the first day of the Tet and onward. Parents usually purchase new clothes and shoes for their children a month prior to the festival. This is often the most exciting part of the Lunar New Year among children. Some people would paint their house and decorate with festive items. It is a common belief that cleaning the house will get rid of the bad fortunes associated with the old year. Usually, the head of the household cleans the dust and ashes (from incense) from the ancestral altars. The kitchen needs to be cleaned before the 23rd night of the last month. Children are in charge of sweeping and scrubbing the floor. Homes are often cleaned and decorated before New Year's Eve. It is the festival of purity and renewal. But the most significant of all is "Vietnamese New Year", which marks the Lunar New Year.įor the Vietnamese people, the Lunar New Year is like a combination of Western Saint Sylvester, New Year's Day, Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. There are many Tets throughout the year (Mid-Autumn Vietnamese New Year, Cold Food Vietnamese New Year, etc.). The passage from one period to the next may cause a meteorological disturbance (heat, rain, mist) that must be exercised by ritual sacrifices and festivities. “Tet” is the phonetic deformation of "Tiet", a Sino-Vietnamese term which means "Joint of a bamboo stern" and in a wider sense, the "beginning of a period of the year". Hanoi (VNA) - The festival which best epitomises Vietnam's cultural identity is the Lunar New Year or Tet, with a lot of meaningful customs and traditional special foods. Peach blossoms are considered a symbol of Tet (Photo: VNA) ![]()
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