fe13ruary

[fe13ruary]

Hello everyone, today I will present about the most popular festival in our country Vietnam that almost every houses and every family celebrates together. It is called Tet or Lunar New Year.

1. Name of the Festival:

• Tết Nguyên Đán (Tết), meaning the “Feast of the First Morning of the First Day.”

2. What Happens During Tết:

• Preparations:

• Cleaning and decorating homes with kumquat trees, peach blossoms, and red ornaments symbolizing good luck.

• Shopping for new clothes, food, and festive items.

• Traditional Activities:

• Offering incense and food to ancestors at the family altar to pay respect.

• Preparing traditional dishes like bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake) and bánh tét.

• Giving and receiving lì xì (red envelopes) containing money for good fortune.

• Celebrations:

• Family reunions and sharing meals.

• Watching fireworks displays.

• Visiting relatives and friends to wish them prosperity and happiness.

3. Why People Celebrate Tết:

• To mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year and welcome spring.

• To honor ancestors and express gratitude.

• To wish for a year of health, happiness, and prosperity.

• It’s also a time for families to gather, reflect, and renew ties.

4. Why You Enjoy Tết:

• Spending quality time with family and loved ones.

• Enjoying the vibrant decorations, festive foods, and joyous atmosphere.

• Experiencing cultural traditions that have been passed down for generations.

• The excitement of receiving lì xì as a child or giving them as a gesture of goodwill.

• Watching traditional performances like lion dances, which bring a festive spirit.

[fe13ruary]

The Mermaid Nebula Supernova Remnant Image Credit: Neil Corke