"chúc m?ng nam m?i" [Happy new year!]
Tet Nguyen Dan is Vietnam's lunar new years, but it is much more than a simple New Years celebration. Aside from being Vietnam's most important festival, Tet is a culmination of family togetherness, ancestral respect, new beginnings, cherising your children and of course, preparing time honored foods all bound up into one holiday.
Vietnam's history has always been deeply affected by Chinese influence from both outside rule and through traders. And their lunar new years is no exception. Aside from the hour difference between Hanoi and China's borders it is even celebrated on the same day. Other evidence of China influence can be seen in the practice of Cau Doi, or spring couplets hung in parallel red banners on gates at Tet, or in the honoring of the 3 kitchen gods who report to the 'Jade Emperor' in the weeks before Tet kicks off. They also enjoy a popular version of Lion Dancing from both imperial settings and directly in the city streets.
How Tet is celebrated can be broken up into four segments. In the weeks before Tet, the eve of Tet, the day of Tet itself and the customs continued to be celebrated for several weeks immediately after. No segment is more important than the other really, and none can be scrapped!
Weeks before Tet [Tat Nien]:
Full of family honoring and common sense, Tet's many preparational customs are why I really love this holiday! In the weeks leading up to Tet; Observant Vietnamese make sure bills are paid. They wouldn't go into the new year owing money if it can be helped. Their houses are thoroughly cleaned. Think 'spring cleaning'! Visit the ancestral graves, and bring offerings to the family ancestral shrine, cleaning both and leaving flowers when completed. Arguments within the family are set down and resolved as well. And when the observant Vietnamese aren't busy doing these important functions, they are certainly dedicating any energy left over to shopping, decorating the home and preparing some of the most work intensive foods in Vietnamese cuisine!
Eve of Tet [Giao Thua]:
Cleaning products (used most ardently in the previous two weeks) are put away from view. The bamboo pole is decorated, or if you are in the north perhaps it is the peach tree instead. Or, maybe in the far south, then it is the hao mai, a yellow flowering bush. So the plant may change but the meaning and purpose do not. Firecrackers are readied in the thousands, nay the hundreds of thousands! When Tet hits at midnight, the firecrackers are ignited and the buddhist monks toll the bells at all the shrines. It's amazing anyone can hear anything by the time Tet rolls around, but the noise is worth it as its required to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. No one wants bad luck on the eve of the new year.
Day of Tet Nguyen Dan:
3 words can describe the important event of Tet: Family, family family. Oh, and guests! And of course, to keep everyone happy and occupied, a whole lot of food. Not just any food either, there are several special foods prepared just for Tet. Banh chung, roasted watermelon seeds, mung bean pudding, papaya salads, bo la lat (beef wrapped in peppers) and more are commonly seen all over Vietnam. Also, children are often given gifts.
After Tet [still considered Tet Nguyen Dan]:
In the days after Tet visitors are encouraged, with specific people expected to visit on specific days. First there is the esteemed guests and immediate family, including the father/husband's parents. The second day is for more family including the wife or mother's extended family. After that it is neighbors, teachers and dear family friends. Observant Buddhists also take this time to visit shrines and more offerings are given to the household ancestral shrines which have much importance in Vietnam.
As you can imagine, after all this you are stuffed to the gills with good food, enjoyed about all you can take of your family and loved ones, made certain not to forget any beloved ancestor who deserves your attention, prayed at every shrine important to you and are probably , no certainly, ready for another full house cleaning after all the cooking and guests.
Several common greetings are listed at Wiki's entry for Tet Nguyen Dan and here is one to you dear reader;
An khang th?nh vu?ng or Security, good health, and prosperity!
Sources:
Now before you move on, don't forget to visit Tet Nguyen Dan at AW:
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Featured February 22 , 2008
