{"id":64,"date":"2021-02-01T18:02:27","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T18:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/?p=64"},"modified":"2021-04-05T19:06:25","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T19:06:25","slug":"vietnamese-lunar-new-year-customs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/vietnamese\/vietnamese-lunar-new-year-customs\/","title":{"rendered":"Vietnamese Lunar New Year Customs"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ch\u00fac M\u1eebng N\u0103m M\u1edbi!<\/em> (Happy New Year)<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo taken and used with permission from Duong Ky Lam<\/p><\/div>\n

The most important, longest, and biggest festival in the year for the Vietnamese is T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n<\/em> (Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration), also called T\u1ebft \u00c2m L\u1ecbch, T\u1ebft Ta, T\u1ebft Vi\u1ec7t Nam<\/em>, or simply T\u1ebft,<\/em> which lasts for at least a week to even a month long. For 2021, T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n<\/em> will fall on Friday February 12, the year of <\/strong>T\u00e2n S\u1eedu (year of the ox).<\/strong> This year, the Vietnamese Prime Minister officially approved a seven day holiday for everyone, students and workers, from February 10 to February 16.<\/strong> However, each locality and business may extend it longer, ten to fourteen days.<\/p>\n

There are a lot of traditions and customs on T\u1ebft<\/em>. Below are just a few of the \u201cpre-T\u1ebft<\/em>\u201d ones that you may find interesting.<\/p>\n

Kitchen God\u2019s Farewell Day<\/strong><\/p>\n

Preparation for the T\u1ebft <\/em>celebration started on the 23rd<\/sup> day of the twelfth lunar month (February 4), which is \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em> (Kitchen God)\u2019s farewell day. It\u2019s a common belief that at the end of every year \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em> returns to heaven to report to Ng\u1ecdc Ho\u00e0ng<\/em> (Jade Emperor) the deeds of each household through the preceding year. \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em> knows all the family secrets, since he has spent the whole year in the kitchen. A sumptuous food offering is traditionally placed on \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em>\u2019s altar on this day to fare him well before his journey to heaven. It\u2019s also a subtle bribe, so that \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em> will give a favorable report to Ng\u1ecdc Ho\u00e0ng<\/em>. Many T\u1ebft<\/em> cultural activities often include a comedy act depicting \u00d4ng T\u00e1o<\/em> reading reports of local social and economic events for entertainment.<\/p>\n

Cleanup & Decorations<\/strong><\/p>\n

To resolve the bad luck from the \u201cold year\u201d and to encourage good luck for the \u201cnew year\u201d, houses are often thoroughly cleaned.\u00a0 Bronze items on the altar, such as candle holders, incense burners, and vases are polished to a shine. The main altar decoration is an important focal point for the Vietnamese on T\u1ebft<\/em>. M<\/em>\u00e2m ng\u0169 qu\u1ea3<\/em> (a platter of five fruits), a pair of tr\u00e1i<\/em> d\u01b0a h\u1ea5u<\/em> (watermelon), a pair of b\u00e1nh ch\u01b0ng<\/em> (steamed sticky rice cake wrapped in banana leaves), and a pair of vases filled with fresh flowers are traditionally placed there. Hanging on both sides of the main altar, or by the entrance door, you may find a c\u00e2u<\/em> \u0111\u1ed1i<\/em> (distich) written on red paper. The c\u00e2u<\/em> \u0111\u1ed1i<\/em> is both decorative and an inspiring or heartwarming saying. Right by the main house or business entrance, people often showcase exotic plants or traditional flowers in an artistic shape.<\/p>\n

T\u1ebft Markets<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Flower Market – IPhoto taken and used with permission from Duong Ky Lam<\/p><\/div>\n

A few weeks before the new year, ch\u1ee3 T\u1ebft<\/em> (T\u1ebft markets) pop up everywhere. Most notable are ch\u1ee3 hoa<\/em> (flower markets), gian<\/em> h\u00e0ng<\/em> tr\u00e1i c\u00e2y<\/em> (fruit shops), and gian h\u00e0ng b\u00e1nh m\u1ee9t<\/em> (sweet treats & fruit candies). The traditional and must have flower for T\u1ebft<\/em> is Hoa Mai<\/em> (yellow Mai flower) or Hoa \u0110\u00e0o<\/em> (peach blossom). Other popular varieties found at ch\u1ee3 hoa<\/em> include chrysanthemum, marigold, zinnia, and the kumquat plant.<\/p>\n

Since local markets are closed during the T\u1ebft <\/em>celebration, rice, salt, fish sauce, and other groceries are fully stocked in the kitchen. On top of that, every family makes some traditional holiday foods for T\u1ebft. <\/em>Needless to say, ch\u1ee3 T\u1ebft<\/em> is bustling with people!<\/p>\n

T\u1ebft Gifts<\/strong><\/p>\n

T\u1ebft is an occasion to bring gifts to parents, relatives, teachers, bosses, friends, or whomever one wishes to express gratitude and respect. The items given are usually traditional foods, sweet treats, special snacks, wine bottles, or fresh potted plants. These gifts are given before New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n

Visiting Ancestor\u2019s Graves<\/strong><\/p>\n

During the week of T\u1ebft, <\/em>it\u2019s customary that the descendants of the family visit their elders or the graves of their deceased family members to clean, burn incense, and pray to the deceased.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Ch\u00fac M\u1eebng N\u0103m M\u1edbi! (Happy New Year) The most important, longest, and biggest festival in the year for the Vietnamese is T\u1ebft Nguy\u00ean \u0110\u00e1n (Vietnamese Lunar New Year Celebration), also called T\u1ebft \u00c2m L\u1ecbch, T\u1ebft Ta, T\u1ebft Vi\u1ec7t Nam, or simply T\u1ebft, which lasts for at least a week to even a month long. For…<\/p>\n

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