Cultural Practices And Customs Questions
The Lunar New Year, also known as Tet, is one of the most important cultural celebrations in Vietnam. It is a time when families come together to honor their ancestors and welcome the new year with joy and prosperity.
One of the main customs associated with the Lunar New Year in Vietnam is the thorough cleaning of houses. This is done to sweep away any bad luck from the previous year and make way for good fortune in the coming year. Additionally, families often decorate their homes with colorful flowers and traditional symbols such as peach blossoms and kumquat trees, which are believed to bring luck and prosperity.
Another important aspect of the Lunar New Year is the preparation and sharing of special traditional foods. One of the most popular dishes is "banh chung," a square-shaped sticky rice cake filled with mung beans and pork. This dish symbolizes the Earth and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity. Families also prepare other traditional dishes such as "giò" (Vietnamese sausage) and "xôi gấc" (red sticky rice), which are enjoyed during family gatherings.
During the Lunar New Year, it is customary for people to visit their relatives and friends to exchange well wishes and gifts. This is known as "li xi" or lucky money, which is usually given in red envelopes. It is believed that giving and receiving lucky money will bring good luck and blessings for the new year.
Furthermore, the Lunar New Year is a time for spiritual practices and paying respects to ancestors. Families often visit pagodas and temples to pray for good fortune and make offerings to their ancestors. They also participate in traditional rituals such as "moc duc" (first-footing) and "xong dat" (first plowing), which are believed to bring blessings and a prosperous harvest.
Overall, the Lunar New Year in Vietnam is a time of great significance and is marked by various cultural practices and customs. It is a time for family reunions, feasting on traditional foods, exchanging well wishes and gifts, and paying respects to ancestors.