Tet - An Introduction to Vietnamese New Year
The Vietnamese New Year is called Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet for short. This year Tet occurs on Feb 9, 2005. Tet is based on the lunar calendar and is the biggest Vietnamese holiday of the year.
The tradition of the lunar calendar was brought to Vietnam by the Chinese. During the times of Chinese rule, Vietnamese gradually adopted the lunar calendar and its holidays.
Over the years, Vietnamese Americans have held onto old traditions and added some new ones during Tet.
As the new year approaches, Vietnamese Americans prepare their houses - they clean and beforehand, since cleaning during the new year is not allowed. Traditionally no cooking is allowed during the holiday, but some Vietnamese Americans do not observe this tradtion.
During Tet, everyone goes around visiting family and friends. The first visitor of the new year is said to bring good luck or bad luck with them. To make sure their luck is good, families often invite someone important or well liked to be their first visitor. It’s an honor to be asked to be the first visitor to a home.
Houses are adorned with red decor - cau doi (strips of red paper with fortunes) are pasted up. Blossoming flowers and plants are arranged all around the house.
Gift giving is a big part of Tet.
Children receive li xi - red envelopes filled with money. Families typically receive food gifts - usually banh chung (sticky rice cake) and mut (fruit candy).
Since Tet represents the start of a new year - It is a time to pay debts, forgive others, and start the new year clean. Arguements are avoided and errors are forgiven.
At night many Vietnamese Americans gamble - Bau Cua Ca Cop (dice game) is a very popular game during this holiday.
