the new one, hoping that it will
bring health, money and success
to all. When Tet arrives, knocking
on the doors, so do relatives. For
many Vietnamese, Tet is the only
time of the year when they have a
long holiday; hence, they make it
possible for all to be together in their
hometown with the family and even
extended family.
If you have never experienced Tet
I strongly recommend you do so, if
possible with a Vietnamese family,
as the experience is fascinating. At
that time of the year, the weather
tends to be rather hot, and beautiful
flowers bloom all over, presenting
us with an array of colours and
scents. In big cities like Ho Chi
Minh City, you can expect beautiful
exhibitions, usually themed around
the New Year’s character, but as
well you can experience exciting
flower contests that bring together
the best examples from all over the
country. For many years Nguyen
Hue has been the centre of Tet
celebrations in Saigon, where after
weeks of careful preparation, the
street is dressed with amazing
flower displays, cultural symbols,
performances and exhibitions.
Everything starts a few days before
the first day of Tet, with a detailed
cleaning of the house, “cleaning”
the bad luck away, and giving way
to the prosperity the New Year will
bring. Tet is also time to remember
The beauty of flower shows is
those who left the family. Food
greatly enriched by the many
will be offered at the altar for
families who bring their children
the ancestors. But Tet is not just
to enjoy the charm and elegance
about beauty, it is about family,
of the exhibitions, many of whom
tradition and generosity. If you
are dressed according to traditional
visit a Vietnamese family during
Vietnamese customs, sharing
this occasion, you will enjoy their
happy moments,
unlimited generosity. I
usually with three or
usually spend Tet with
BUT TET IS
even four generations
my wife’s family in Sa
NOT JUST
together. Tet holiday
Dec, a beautiful little
ABOUT
is also a great occasion
BEAUTY, IT
town in the Mekong
to admire the beauty
IS ABOUT
delta. From the time I
of the many women
FAMILY,
arrive to when I leave,
TRADITION
wearing ao dai, the
relatives always go the
AND
traditional Vietnamese
extra mile to ensure
GENEROSITY.
outfit, many of which
that I am happy. I have
are hand crafted, so
plenty to eat and drink;
rich and varied that
in fact, I’m always spoilt!
it is almost impossible to find two
women wearing the same.
Food is another of the great things
that you can enjoy during Tet, as
every family will prepare lots of
delicious food to share with friends,
family and visitors. Many of the
dishes are typical of this season, an
explosion of variety and flavours.
During Tet, the first day is usually
dedicated to the family, with lots of
eating and drinking going on. On
the second day, the house opens
to friends and neighbours, while
on the third day people mostly go
around visiting others. Officially,
Tet holiday lasts about three days,
however, in some places it can
last for weeks, especially in the
countryside.
If you stay in the big cities, the
experience is quite different, as
somehow they almost become
ghost towns, with millions of
people leaving to go back to their
hometowns. Most of the businesses
close, so if you plan to be in a big
(or small) city during Tet, you’d
better stock up food, while enjoying
driving on the semi-deserted roads.
TRAVELLIVE
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