Tet

March 2, 2014 at 10:51 pm • Posted in Education, Holidays, Inspiration, Vietnam by Lisa

The Tet holiday in Vietnam celebrates Vietnamese New Year. Many establishments in the country shut down for 10 days so that everyone can enjoy festivities with their families. While this practice makes it is difficult to be a tourist during that time (even the restaurants are closed!) it also creates a very cool vibe within the cities that we felt lucky to be a part of during our time in Hanoi!

The decorations look like Christmas and New Years combined!

Tet decorations look like Christmas and New Years combined! This is a view of Turtle Tower in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of the city.

5 years ago when we moved to Vietnam for 5 months to adopt the twins, we missed the Tet celebration by 2 weeks 🙁 So, this time around, we were determined to be in the city to experience all the different traditions and Tet celebrations first-hand. We definitely accomplished this goal!!! During our taxi ride from the airport to downtown Hanoi, we saw over 50 people with miniature orange trees strapped to the back of their motorbikes racing home to begin decorating for the Tet holiday.

Gigantic orange trees decorated with red ribbons are in front of every home in the city.

In addition to the trees, we witnessed the burning of fake money in the streets, the giving of real money to kids in shiny red envelopes, and an epic number of visitors to all the local pagodas. But, by far, my favorite tradition was the gathering of families in record numbers to eat and celebrate together. Local shopkeepers closed their shop, move all their merchandise to the back of their store and moved in a table and chairs so their family could gather in the storefront and enjoy meals together….it was awesome!!! The decorations were also over the top!!! I tried to take pics of as many as I could but the only way to really experience Tet is to visit yourself 🙂

Person burning money in the street in Hoi An

Person burning fake money in the middle of the street in Hoi An

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Even random street food vendors put up over the top decorations!

After experiencing Tet in Hanoi, I have decided we are TOTALLY LAME to have never have a big celebration at home. I am making a commitment to have a blow out next year in Seattle for Tet/ Chinese New Year…. and you are ALL invited! 🙂

—- Chuc Mung Nam Moi! (or Happy New Year!)