The Meaning of Tet


by Global Directions Inc., Jan 1, 1998 | Destinations: Vietnam / Hanoi

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Tet is New Year's Day in Vietnam. It falls sometime between the last ten days of January and the middle part of February. Vietnam is a country with a lot of farmers. Tet is a festival after the harvest. Tet is the time for both the farmer and the land to rest in between crops. During Tet, all action should be pure and beautiful, because it may be an omen for what is coming in the new year. For three days, everyone is nice to each other, and takes extra care not to show anger and not to be rude to people. All members of the extended family try to get together to spend time with each other. In Vietnam they call that to "eat Tet". Children try to be well-behaved and are often given gifts of cash wrapped in red paper. Several times a day, joss-sticks are lit on the family altar and offerings made of food, fresh water, flowers and betel. The Vietnamese Tet is an occasion for all Vietnamese people to share a common ideal of peace and love. We wish you happy Tet!

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