The traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) is the biggest and oldest festivalin Vietnam, bringing its people together to celebrate the sacred andmeaningful annual event.
Tet is anoccasion when members of a family, no matter where they are and whatthey do to earn a living, get together and pray in front of theancestral altar. Their return to home in celebration of Tet is regardedas a journey back to their birthplace.
For most Vietnamese, Tet actually begins with the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao”(Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd of the last month ofthe lunar year, which fell on January 23 this year.
The Kitchen Gods are believed to comprise of two male and onefemale spirit, who bless the household and keep up the kitchen fire,making every member of the family happy and prosperous.
According to legend, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ridecarps to Heaven on the 23rd to deliver an annual report on thehousehold’s activities to the God of Heaven.
As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, it istraditional to release live carps into lakes or rivers, which isconsidered a kind-hearted deed to pray for good luck.
On that day, people also burn joss paper clothing, including hats,robes and boots, intended for use by the genies on the trip.
After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying anddecorating their houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that aclean house represents a fresh start.
Ayear-end praying ceremony will be held in the evening of the lunarJanuary 30. Offerings to ancestors are indispensable, especially a trayof five fruits which symbolise hope for abundance and prosperity. Infront of the altar with spiralling incense smoke and sparkling candles,they clasp hands and pray in deep respect.
Before and after the holiday which will usually last for seven days,the Vietnamese have different customs, depending on each locality.
Northerners will offer their ancestors a bunch of bananas, agrapefruit, oranges or tangerines, persimmons and kumquats whilesoutherners will give a coconut, a papaya, custard apples, green mangosand a piece of twig.
Folk paintings,calligraphy, peach blossom and kumquat trees are very popular in eachfamily in the northern region while apricot blossom is prevalent in thesouth. They represent affluence, good luck and happiness.
It is also Vietnamese custom to clear up all debts and conflicts to look towards a new year of full harmony.-VNA
Tet is anoccasion when members of a family, no matter where they are and whatthey do to earn a living, get together and pray in front of theancestral altar. Their return to home in celebration of Tet is regardedas a journey back to their birthplace.
For most Vietnamese, Tet actually begins with the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao”(Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd of the last month ofthe lunar year, which fell on January 23 this year.
The Kitchen Gods are believed to comprise of two male and onefemale spirit, who bless the household and keep up the kitchen fire,making every member of the family happy and prosperous.
According to legend, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ridecarps to Heaven on the 23rd to deliver an annual report on thehousehold’s activities to the God of Heaven.
As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, it istraditional to release live carps into lakes or rivers, which isconsidered a kind-hearted deed to pray for good luck.
On that day, people also burn joss paper clothing, including hats,robes and boots, intended for use by the genies on the trip.
After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying anddecorating their houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that aclean house represents a fresh start.
Ayear-end praying ceremony will be held in the evening of the lunarJanuary 30. Offerings to ancestors are indispensable, especially a trayof five fruits which symbolise hope for abundance and prosperity. Infront of the altar with spiralling incense smoke and sparkling candles,they clasp hands and pray in deep respect.
Before and after the holiday which will usually last for seven days,the Vietnamese have different customs, depending on each locality.
Northerners will offer their ancestors a bunch of bananas, agrapefruit, oranges or tangerines, persimmons and kumquats whilesoutherners will give a coconut, a papaya, custard apples, green mangosand a piece of twig.
Folk paintings,calligraphy, peach blossom and kumquat trees are very popular in eachfamily in the northern region while apricot blossom is prevalent in thesouth. They represent affluence, good luck and happiness.
It is also Vietnamese custom to clear up all debts and conflicts to look towards a new year of full harmony.-VNA
