Published: 15:23 Friday - January 20, 2017
Tet is the biggest and the most important holiday in Vietnam. There are many customs that everyone should dictate what to do and what not to do during these days. Being a traveller, you may choose to observe these rules, especially on your inviting to a Vietnamese family during Tet.
As in Vietnamese belief, the first few days will set the tone for the whole year, they try to do everything that can bring them good luck and avoid all bad omens. Let's notice dos and don't below to have a wonderful year ahead for you and your family.
DOs:
1. Display five fruits tray
The custom off preparing a five-fruit tray derives from that the five fruits are symbolic of the five basic elements according to the Oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire and earth with view to wish for a fruitful year ahead.
The selection of these five fruits depends on regional difference in climate, belief and desire, and even family's preference. In the North, the tray is ornamented with pomelo, peach, kumquat, banana, orange, persimmons, etc. Differently, the Southern people prepare a big tray with pairs of watermelons, coconuts, papayas, custard apples, mangos, and figs, etc. Nowadays, much improved living standard of the people has led to a greater sophistication in choosing fruits for the altar for the Tet. A tray can contain more expensive, rarer fruits like grapes and pears, regardless of that, it is still a five-fruit tray, a nice offering of the Vietnamese people to their ancestors.
Five fruit tray in the South of Vietnam
Five fruit tray in the North of Vietnam
2. Give lucky money
During Tet, children are given some lucky money. Therefore, prepare some red envelopes, of course with money inside, when you are invited to visit a Vietnamese family. People are also supposed to say best wishes to others. These activities are done with the expectation that luck and good things are brought to everyone.
3. Buy salt
There is a saying from our ancester: "At the beginning of the year buy salt, at the end quicklime powder". Hence, buying a small bag of salt is highly recommended in the New Year's Day, based on the belief that you will have a "tasty" energetic year. Otherwise, you may face an insipid, boring year.
Notice that, don't buy too much because you may want to avoid a year that is "too salty". So a small bag as a symbol will be enough. And, never bargain with salt sellers during the festival.
DON'T:
1. Don't sweep house.
Sweeping your house or emptying the trash bin is a taboo on the first three days of the new year because people believe that if you sweep the floor, all the luck, money and success will flow out of house. So you should keep in mind, should not drop anything into the floor or make it dirty, and don't touch the broom during these days in order to avoid unwanted problems.
2. Don't argue, swear and say bad things.
It is forbidden to say bad things like "die", "sad" orr swear on this occasion. They also should avoid having argument and shout at each other because it can bring them an inharmonic year. When having any conflic, try to calm down and keep it as peaceful as possible.
3. Don't break glassware.
On the first days of Tet, try to avoid break anything especially glassware because people believe that you will have a "break" and bad year if you are careless to make something broken.
