Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a soulful melody echoing in the hearts of Vietnamese people. As time flows, each region of the country composes its unique notes, creating a vibrant symphony of Tết. To fully appreciate this beauty, let's explore Tết across the three regions, where ceremonies and festivals intertwine, cuisine becomes art, and everything flows harmoniously with nature.

(Source : Internet)

Tết in the North: A seasonal transition with rituals and spring festivals

Tết in the North resembles an ancient watercolor painting, brushed with the delicate pink of peach blossoms in the morning mist and the tranquil incense smoke in the late afternoon. As the year draws to a close and the cold wind arrives, time seems to slow down, allowing people to reflect and prepare for a fresh start. In this atmosphere, ancestral worship ceremonies, sacred rituals, connect the past with the present, and generations with each other.

(Source : Internet)

Moreover, the Tết feast is not merely a collection of dishes; it's a symbol of reverence and hope for a peaceful year. Green bánh chưng (square sticky rice cake), like a piece of earth nurtured by a mother's love, white giò lụa (silky pork sausage) resembling the purity of the soul, golden gà luộc (boiled chicken) like the warm sunlight, all blend to create a symphony of spring flavors. Alongside these, a bowl of sweet and savory canh măng hầm chân giò (bamboo shoot and pork knuckle soup), and a refreshing plate of nộm rau củ (vegetable salad), like musical notes accentuating the spring ballad, stir the heart.

After the busy days of preparing for and celebrating Tết with solemn ceremonies, the North awakens and enters the "month of play" (tháng ăn chơi) in January. This season is filled with laughter, conversations, and the rhythmic beat of festival drums, inviting everyone to join in the spring festivities. From rural villages to bustling cities, the joyful sounds of folk games such as swings, ball throwing, blindfolded catching, and graceful lion dances resonate everywhere.

(Source : Internet)

Indeed, renowned festivals like Gióng Festival, Lim Festival, and Perfume Pagoda Festival follow one another, attracting not only locals but also tourists from afar. Furthermore, the vibrant spring markets, with local specialties and traditional Tết dishes, contribute to making January even more memorable. And after days of family reunions, people seek out these community activities to fully enjoy the flavors of spring, creating a truly unforgettable Tết atmosphere.

(Source : Internet)

Tết in Central of Vietnam: A harmonious tune of rituals and spring festivals

Tết in Central Vietnam resembles a gentle folk tune, imbued with the spirit of the homeland and human warmth. The atmosphere here is less bustling than in the North, carrying a deep and serene feeling akin to the character of its people. This is most evident in the ancestral worship ceremonies, which are not merely rituals but expressions of gratitude and reverence for one's origins. Similarly, the Tết feast is less elaborate, emphasizing elegance and sincerity. Bánh tét (cylindrical sticky rice cake) with diverse fillings, like a miniature representation of Central Vietnamese cuisine, flavorful thịt kho tàu (braised pork and eggs), a warm invitation, crispy nem chua (fermented pork roll), like playful musical notes, all blend to create a symphony of regional flavors.

(Source : Internet)

The entire Central region awakens when the drumbeat sounds. The boat racing festival on the river is like an enthusiastic competition, hát bài chòi (a type of folk opera) like heartfelt lyrics, and the lion dance like graceful movements. All of this creates a Tết atmosphere that is both traditional and modern, serene and vibrant. Furthermore, the custom of "welcoming ancestors" (đón ông bà) is a reminder of the moral principle of remembering one's roots, of family bonds, and of the sacred feelings of descendants.

(Source : Internet)

Tết in Southern Vietnam: A colorful dance of festivities and cuisine

Tết in Southern Vietnam is like a colorful dance with liberality, joy, and excitement. In the days leading up to Tết, the streets of Saigon and other southern provinces are lavishly decorated with lights, flowers, and Tết symbols, like a welcome to the New Year. Bến Bình Đông flower market and Hồ Thị Kỷ flower market are like spring gardens, where colorful flowers bloom, and joyful laughter resounds.

(Source : Internet)

The Southern Tết feast is like a banquet of flavors, with sweet bánh tét, fatty thịt kho tàu, refreshing canh khổ qua (bitter melon soup), and tangy gỏi gà (chicken salad). All of these, like colorful musical notes, create an unforgettable Tết meal.

Street festivals, spring fairs, and art performances, like a party of sound, light, and color, bring Southern Vietnam back to its inherent festive spirit. People gather to have fun, sing, dance, creating a Tết atmosphere that is both lively and warm. In particular, the lì xì (red envelope with lucky money) custom, like a symbol of luck and wealth, expresses the wish for a new year of peace and prosperity.

(Source : Internet)

Vietnamese Tết, whether in the North, Central, or South, remains a heartfelt journey where sacred rituals intertwine with lively festivities, and the distinctive flavors of regional cuisine create a symphony of spring. Therefore, let us cherish the good traditional values of our nation and together look forward to a new year of peace, prosperity, and happiness.