Southern locals welcome a peaceful and traditional Tet

ABO/NDO – The southern region, at over 300 years of age, is still a relatively young land, but is home to an imposing cultural treasure with precious indigenous values, including its celebrations for the Lunar New Year (Tet).

Photo: NGOC TRUNG

The traditional manner in which southerners welcome Tet differs in some ways compared to other regions of the S-shaped country.

Since ancient times, the Vietnamese people and locals in the South in particular have considered Tet as a chance to reunite the family. Every relative, whether living and working nearby or far away from home tries to return for New Year’s Eve to celebrate with their relatives. From mid-December of the lunar year, the Tet atmosphere has begun to grow throughout the country and within the hearts of the people.

During early spring, the weather grows warmer, signaling the marigold and daisy flowers that it is time to grow and welcome Tet. Watermelon and flower markets are the most fun and hectic areas for trade. Everyone wants to buy a pair of melons to bring to the altar for Tet rituals. These days, everyone seems to be happier, perhaps because the bustling Tet atmosphere consoles their daily tiredness.

Photo: CAO THANG

On the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, the Vietnamese bid farewell to "Ong Cong - Ong Tao" (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods), who will make their trip to the Heaven as they bring a report to the Jade Emperor about the good and bad things of every family over the last year. Locals prepare a meal to offer to the gods before their departure and another meal to welcome them back a week later on the 30th day of December in the lunar year. The day is also the chance for locals to welcome their ancestors’ souls back home to join their relatives for Tet.

On the last day of the lunar year, many people join to slaughter a pig and split the meat to make a traditional dish of well stewed pork and also banh tet (rolled glutinous rice cakes) for Tet. The stewed pork dish and banh tet are laid on the altar in a tray as the last meal of the last day of the lunar year, showing gratitude to the departed.

It wouldn’t be a proper Tet in the South without a fruit tray on the altar. As a definite taboo, the traditional fruit tray for the Tet of southerners can never have a banana, because the name of the fruit has the same sound as "chúi" which is a bad omen.

Midnight of New Year’s Eve is the most anticipated moment. In the past, they burned firecrackers, but today there are fireworks.

Photo: CAO THANG

If anyone has welcomed Tet in the South, they can feel that the Tet atmosphere here is not too noisy or as hectic as in many other regions, but very warm and sincere. These days, local villages are always busy with the sounds of children and adults joining in lion dances to bring the vitality of spring time to every home.

(Source: NDO)