• It is a very important holiday for all Vietnamese people which often takes place from the end of January till the end of February every year. You know, people use the Lunar Calendar, which is according to the Moon, to count the exact dates. Luckily, this period of the year is in the spring season when the weather is good enough for the festival and for people to hang out as well.

• The reason why we celebrate this festival is that it marks the end of the Lunar Year and the beginning of the New Lunar Year. Another reason is because  after working hard for a whole year, people would like to take a break and forget about their busy life for a while. Moreover, they prefer to have some time for their family and Tet holiday is a good occasion.

• Before the festival, what people should do is a complete spring cleaning which means they will have to tidy their house as well as decorating the ancestor’s altar carefully. During the festival, they will visit their friends and relatives’ houses where they will enjoy big meals with some special food like square sticky rice cake, cylindrical sticky rice cake, pickled leeks, braised pork and eggs. After the meals they often spend the rest of their time playing cards and exchanging lucky money. In addition, they will also visit pagodas in order to pray for a year of luck. But on top of that, they like to walk around the city center for some photo shoots in nice clothes and post their pictures on Facebook or Instagram.

• I really consider this festival essential for me for some reasons. First and foremost, after a long time of work and study, it is a chance when I can get together with my family and friends to catch up with their life’s stories. Second, it is also an opportunity for me to get dressed up in nice clothes and take a walk in public places where I can pose in some fancy outfits. Third, since it is a long holiday. I can make use of the time by visiting pagodas to pray for a year of fortune, success and peace.

Of all the big holidays that occur in Vietnam every year, I would like to share with you the most anticipated traditional festive week which is called Tet holiday.

• You know, it is a very important traditional holiday for all Vietnamese people which often takes place from the end of January till the end of February every year. However, the exact dates for Tet are different every year as in our tradition we use the Lunar calendar to count the first day or the Lunar Year. I mean people will use the movement of the Moon around the Earth to count the dates, not that of the Earth around the Sun. Fortunately, this period of the year is also in the spring season so the weather is good enough for the festival and for people to take part in some fun activities as well.

• Regarding the reason why we celebrate this festival is that it marks when the old and the unlucky Lunar Year finishes and when the New Lunar Year starts. Another reason is because after a year of hard work that keeps us always on our toes, we deserve a long repose which helps us to recharge the energy for the upcoming year. Moreover, since Vietnamese never stop placing the family’s value on top priority, Tet is the occasion for us to gather, to show love and affection as well as to keep each other updated.

• One week before the festival, what we habitually do is a thorough spring cleaning, saying we freshen up the whole living place, throw away some old, expired or used stuff and buy some new ones. But the most important thing to do is to carefully, wholeheartedly clean and decorate our ancestor’s altar which is the spiritual symbol of the holiday. During the festival, the first thing we will do is to visit our friends and relatives’ houses where we will feed on big, delicious meals with some special delicacies like square sticky rice cake, cylindrical sticky rice cake, pickled leeks, braised pork and eggs. After the meals we often spend the rest of the visit playing cards, chit chatting and exchanging lucky money, lucky wishes. In addition, we will also visit pagodas in order to pray for a year of luck. But on top of that, we are interested in strolling around the city center in gorgeous clothes for some stylish photos which will be published on our Facebook or Instagram.

• There are several reasons why I really consider this festival a part of my most  annually expected events besides my birthday. First and foremost, after a long time of intense schedule which seems to wear me out, it is a chance when I can get together with my family and friends to catch up with their life’s stories. To be honest, hearing my family sharing their thoughts and wishes makes me feel so warm and proud inside. Second, it is also an opportunity for me to get dressed up in fancy clothes and parade along the streets. Everytime I come out to the main big square of the city during the holiday, I imagine I was in a giant fashion show with all the sexy vedettes around including me. Third, since it is a long holiday, I can wisely make use of the time by visiting pagodas. As a habit, my mom and I always go to our favorite pagoda right after New Year’s Eve and pray for a year of fortune, success and peace.

 So, those are the reasons why I am so delighted to share with you what I know about Tet holiday. I really wish such a meaningful holiday like Tet will soon arrive with loads of luck, love and happiness.

Talking about Vietnamese holidays, I believe the Lunar New Year will always be the first to pop up in everyone’s mind. More than any other occasion, it is the most expected annual event by the Vietnamese everywhere in the world.

The Lunar New Year festival usually takes place somewhere in the last ten days of January or the first twenty days of February and lasts from 3 to 4 days. Vietnamese people have been celebrating this occasion for thousands of years and have made it an essential part of the Vietnamese tradition. Lunar New Year’s Eve is not only a special holiday but alsoa chance for family gatherings and intimate get-togethers.

Since it is the most important holiday of the year, people pay great attention toeverything they do and say during this occasion. Some common plans include cleaning and decorating the house, buying new clothes, making “Chung” cake, making offers for the ancestors,  giving out “lucky money”, visiting temples and pagodas… and so on. 

For me in particular and Vietnamese people all around the world in general, the Lunar New Year has remarkable meanings. It may be the only occasion that all family members can gather and be happy while sharing great news and hoping for better things for the upcoming year. 

Even though the modern lifestyle and the fast pace of life are shortening the Lunar New Year holiday, I do not think it will ever disappear as its significance is far too great in every Vietnamese’s heart.