The meaning of Tet for foreigners

At midnight on Lunar New Year’s Eve, every Vietnamese family whispers similar fervent prayers while bells ring and drums beat in temples.

Tet or Lunar New Year is a festival which epitomizes Vietnamese culture.

For many it is the only chance in the year to reunite with family.

As the Year of the Rat approaches, Thanh Nien Daily talks with foreigners about their special thoughts on Vietnam’s biggest national holiday, which will fall on February 7.

“This is my ninth Tet in Vietnam but I still look forward to enjoying it with my family,” said Stephen Mueller, director of Green Energy Co. Ltd. in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1.

The 43-year-old likes the cool sunny weather signaling spring.

He also loves to shoot as many photos as possible on Nguyen Hue Flower Street with his family.

“I attended a Tet party in the US a long time ago which was the first time I received the red packet or li xi [lucky money], with an explanation of the Vietnamese tradition from the hosts,” he said.

He has prepared many red packets for his three-year-old son and friends’ children for Lunar New Year over the next ten days.

Lunar New Year in Vietnam has always impressed him as everyone looks forward to returning to their family and homeland.

Cho Byung Ki, a Korean man in his seventies who has been living in HCMC for 13 years with his Vietnamese wife, said the Tet atmosphere was really wonderful with many colors, foods and cultural activities.

“The combination of everything from the bustling atmosphere and the traditional festival has made Tet a very attractive and specific moment,” Cho said.

Ruth Wilson, an English teacher from Australia who has been working in HCMC for two years, had another impression of Tet.

“To set up a Tet tree in the week before New Year’s Eve is a tradition in some Vietnamese families. The tree called cay neu is a bamboo pole stripped of most of its leaves except for a bunch at the very top. On the very top, they frequently place a paper symbol of yin and yang, the two principal forces of the universe. This tree is more common in the countryside now than the city. It is ceremonially removed after the seventh day of Tet,” Ruth explained.

Albert Van De Weg from Holland who directs the Creative advertising agency in HCMC was looking forward to Lunar New Year’s Eve or Giao thua in Vietnam.

“Everyone keeps a close eye on clocks and watches as midnight approaches. Giao thua ritual occurs at that most sacred moment in time. At midnight of Lunar New Year’s Eve, every Vietnamese family whispers similar fervent prayers. Bells ring and drums beat in temples.

The old year gives over its mandate to the New Year. The words Giao thua (Giao means to give and Thua means to receive) mean a passing on or a receiving and handing down of life. It marks the magical transition time from one year to another. Those who practice Buddhism will pray in the pagoda,” Albert said.

Foreigners always have a big plan for Tet, mainly focusing on traveling to discover new tourist spots and Vietnamese culture.

“I love to visit the traditional and ancient cities to explore more about the Vietnamese culture. This year, I will travel to Hoi An ancient town in central Vietnam,” revealed Saara, a Finnish post graduate researcher.

Meanwhile Michel Jordan, a French tourist who has just arrived last week in HCMC for a three week tour said that he would love to attend Tet cultural activities with some Vietnamese families to discover how the local people to celebrate it.

“I am lucky to arrive here for three weeks. To indulge in the atmosphere will help me to understand more about your rich culture,” said Michel.

As Lunar New Year Day is only a week away (on February 7), every foreigner in Vietnam has their own feeling and plan for the New Year but they all share an impression of the jubilant atmosphere and the special meaning of the biggest holiday of the year.

Reported by Vinh Bao

Source : Thanh Nien Daily