Tet

Chuc mung nam moi - Happy New Year

 Tet Nguyen Dan or Vietnamese New Year follows the same lunar calendar as Chinese new year. This year it falls on Feb. 10. The official holiday lasts 3 days, but most schools are closed for 2 weeks beginning Feb. 4. Many businesses also close for an entire week, beginning or ending Feb. 10.

Tet is the year's most important festival in Vietnam. During the weeks leading up to Tet, Vietnamese people try to get rid of bad fortune by cleaning, paying debts, buying new clothes and giving to those less fortunate. At CIS, each class has been collecting small items like toothbrushes, T-shirts and other clothing, crayons, markers etc. for several weeks.

A home in Phu My Hung decorated for Tet

They will prepare a basket that will be delivered to a near by orphanage. Each student is expected to bring something to put in the basket.

Like Christmas in Canada, Vietnamese families exchange gifts and visit friends and family. They will have a huge celebratory meal together, usually on New Year's Day.
Red sticky rice (red being a lucky colour) is traditionally included at the meal, as well as lucky fruits such as watermelon, coconuts and oranges.

Tet decorations

 Everyone needs to be a little more careful in the days leading up to and during Tet. An older Vietnamese woman motioned me to hold my backpack tighter and closer when Paul and I were at the Ben Thanh on Saturday. And last week, Paul's driver was stopped by the police for no apparent reason, and wasn't allowed to leave until he had paid $300000 VND ( about $15). On Saturday, when I was coming home with groceries, the cab driver wanted $50000 VND for a normally $30000 VND ride. He pretended not to understand when I complained, but I had to pay because he had locked the doors and wouldn't let me out !!

2013 is the Year of the Snake. Those born in a Snake year usually have an enthusiastic temperament and have sympathy for others. They like luxury and hate to fail. They prefer a quiet, calm atmosphere but although they look calm on the outside, underneath they can be very intense. They are sometimes jealous and suspicious and can be headstrong. They tend to have doubts about the judgement of others and prefer to do things their way. Women snakes are apparently good housekeepers but can be irritable. David and I were both born in Snake years and I don't see any characteristics described above in either of us . . . However, if you are a Snake, then you will enjoy luck yourself in 2013 and also bring luck to the house.

Year of the Snake