Chuc Mung Nam Moi! Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Rich with happiness, culture, and festivities, Vietnamese (Tet) and Chinese New Year are both celebrated around the same time of the year. The question is, are they the same? Both of these annual holidays are celebrated by both Vietnamese and Chinese people all over the world. Although a lot of the celebrations may have some similarities, there are minor differences when it comes to tradition.
In the Vietnamese lunar calendar, they celebrate at the beginning of Spring. As for the Chinese, people celebrate the turning of a new moon, which is considered the first day of the Chinese lunar month. This year, both holidays land on January 23rd and the celebration usually lasts for 3-10 days. This year, both calendars celebrate the year of the Dragon.
The Jackfroot staff will definitely post photos and videos of the celebration coming up so stay tuned for that!
The celebrations are very festive and brings family and friends together. Some of the traditions and customs practiced each year include:
- Giving away red envelopes (filled with lucky money)
This is a cultural practice that has been maintained for generations. The red envelopes symbolize luck and wealth. It is very common to see older people giving away sealed red envelopes to younger people. Before the younger ones could receive the envelopes, they have to perform a certain greeting. - Making offers for Ancestors
This ceremony is held on the first day of the New Year before noontime. The head of the household should perform the proper ritual (offering food, wine, cakes, fruits, and burn incense) to invite the souls of the ancestors to join the celebration with the family. This is the time families honor the souls of their ancestors and present the welfare of the family. - Lighting of firecrackers
This is believed that the noise of the firecrackers will scare off demons, evil spirits, and bad luck. During the eve of the new year, people begin lighting these around their homes, temples, and businesses. We apologize if we keep you awake at night!
Check out this video slideshow:
