Chuc Mung Nam Moi- Happy New Year

Happy TET!

     Good morning and Happy New Year!  The long anticipated TET has arrived. TET, the lunar New Year, is a combination of Christmas, New Year, and Memorial Day, from my perspective, limited as it is. Folks here in Vietnam have been getting ready for this- the most important, sacred holiday of the year, for weeks now.  Our first sign that something was up was the transporting of kumquat trees- dangerously strapped on the backs of motorcycles.  I was amazed to see these trees, one after another, transported in this manner.  I was told that these were definitely NOT mandarin oranges; we don't eat these; they are for decoration only.  (Bob will tell you that I stole a kumquat from a tree outside a store and brought it home to try it.  It was tart- think lemon or lime- but I actually liked it- nothing a little sugar wouldn't fix!) 

The kumquat tree

 

The other early indication was the purchasing of branches or trees of pink peach blossoms or a branch/tree containing a bright yellow flower.  I learned that the pink peach blossom was typical for the north and the yellow was typical for the south.  The pink flower represents wealth and happiness and the yellow wealth and passionate love.  The wishes for wealth in the new year abound.

The pink peach blossoms
in a local cafe

     However, wealth doesn't seem to come on its own.  It is dependent on one's behavior.  It is expected that debts must be paid off before the new year, so that more success will come one's way.  

a typical alter to the ancesters
or gods in a local business

It seems every acceptable greeting during TET focuses on health and/or prosperity. There's a popular image that some people place as decoration in their homes of a frog with coins in his mouth. Other traditions during TET involve the giving of "lucky money" to children and the elderly. (Don't hold your breath, Mom and Dad.)  These gifts are given in bright red envelopes with gold wishes on the outside. (Think Valentine's Day) One stuck with me: "May money flow like water."  In the same regard, ancestors are remembered by purchasing fake paper money, and symbols representing clothing, motorcycles, homes, etc. and then burning them outside on the street corners or in the urns that our apartment complex provides for this activity. 

The urn- one for each building- in our complex

 These gifts will rise to the ancestors with the smoke that goes to heaven.  The first visitor to the home on New Years is very important because they will bring either good or bad luck to the family in the coming year.  A wealthy and wise visitor is wanted as the first visitor.  Things are looking good for Bob and I then as David and Diane are on their way; I am not so sure about their wealth, but I am certain of their character!!! It's good to be us.

     My landlady explains to me that she has been terribly busy with the preparations for TET.  As per tradition, she must fix festive meals each of the three formal days of TET for the ancestors.  (Think three days of preparing Thanksgiving meals!) Plus, she must clean and decorate the house and ancestors tomb.  For Bob and I, however, today is quiet.  Vietnamese tradition dictates that it is taboo to empty the garbage or sweep the floor today, so as not to get rid of the good luck for the new year.  I can follow that tradition- although I don't really believe in luck.