THE OLD AND PRESENT SAIGON TET: STILL FULL OF COMPLETE CULTURAL MEANING
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Tet is always a festive season for all Vietnamese people. It is the most awaited season of the year. Stories about Tet are always alive and attractive to everyone.
The old Tet- Beautiful memories
Lunar New Year usually falls between January and March and lasts about a week. In Vietnam, Vietnamese often focus on Lunar New Year rather than New Year.
Starting from January, people have begun to prepare to paint the gate walls, clean and polish the furniture in the house. Because a long time ago, people often had the concept that: "At the beginning of the new year, the house is clean, then there will be blessings for the owner."
In the last days of the year, which is about to start Tet, the markets are always as bustling as a festival. Tet starts from the market, from small stalls to large stores, filled with Tet goods. The market is crowded and full of different kinds of goods. Diverse and colorful goods make the market extremely attractive to the eye. There are jams, sausages, Western wine, soft drinks, beer, ao dai, dresses... All Tet goods are full and complete.
23rd Tet is also known as the day to bring Mr.Tao back to heaven, the atmosphere to prepare for Tet is getting busier. That's when the sour side dishes come to the throne: melons, onions, palanquins... Or people will be busy making it. If there is time, people will prepare more pickles. The coconuts, kumquats, and dates are soaked, sugar slugs until dry, and dried in the sun, there are delicious jars of jam for Tet.
New Year Saigon cannot be without flowers. It is said that this is the most beautiful season because spring is the season of flowers in full bloom. Gardeners in Go Vap, Hoc Mon, Thu Duc are the main gardeners with all kinds of ornamental flowers from kumquats, apricots, apricots, marigolds, chrysanthemums,... Along Binh Dong wharf in the last days of the year still exist today. The image of ships and boats selling flowers has been around for a long time.
The old Tet’s flower market (Source: dulichhoanmy.com)
Saigonese also cook banh tet. On the evening of the 28th Tet, people started to set up a large pot in front of the house to cook. The whole family gathered around the pot to cook, talk and laugh together. That reminds everyone of the old story and welcomes a joyful New Year with the family.
Besides, visiting pagodas on Tet holiday to pray for a peaceful new year has become an indispensable practice of Saigonese from past to present. After New Year's Eve, people often focus on Ong Ba Chieu Mausoleum, Ong Pagoda or Ba Pagoda to pray for luck, peace, love, and family religion.
Visiting pagodas on old Tet holiday (Source: vnexpress.net)
In the past, there was a concept that "the first day of the year for father, the second day of the year for mother, the third day of the year for teacher", was the same in Saigon. Gifts are also given to each other, visiting at the beginning of the year has become a natural thing. Besides, Saigon's young men and women also take advantage of spring travel clothes. The scene is crowded and bustling all over the street, especially at Nguyen Hue Street. The bustling laughter, the voices of people talking to each other and the singing of the familiar rhythms of: “Nếp sống vui tươi nối chân nhau đến nơi này… Sài Gòn đẹp lắm, Sài Gòn ơi, Sài Gòn ơi…”.
The present Tet- There is still the meaning of Tet
In the midst of today's dynamic and modern life, Tet in Saigon has also had many changes. Daily life is fuller than in the past, but there are more modern features instead of traditional features.
Instead of paper fireworks hanging separately in each house, people will gather to watch fireworks together in large public places. People will often find the best place to see the fireworks more clearly.
Fireworks in the present Tet (Source: kinhnghiemditour.com)
Tet specialties are not too difficult to prepare anymore. There have been a lot of different, more luxurious types of jam cakes sold during the Tet season. What's more, people no longer spend too much time doing it. People can buy it faster and more conveniently in malls or jam shops easily. Or you can order at home because the form of online ordering today is extremely developed and popular.
The wrapping of banh chung and banh tet is also less common in Saigon. Many families choose to buy pre-packaged banh chung and banh tet.
Floating flower market on present Tet (Source: dulichsaigon.com)
Innovation takes place on a regular basis, continuously in all fields, including Tet. But one meaning that will never change is: Tet is reunion. The nature of Tet brings a special bond. Tet is the time to come back home, to share together what we have done in the past year and to encourage each other for a good new year. Tet is the day when people are ready to let go of all the unhappy things of the old year. And open the hearts to welcome the new good things of the new year. This is a very important thing.
Our way of thinking, human customs and habits are always changing according to the rhythm of society's life. Our country has always been transformed in recent times, with socio-economic changes. Now, the old Tet and the present Tet also have a difference.
Still know, when the "specialty of Tet" is only good in memory. That is, life is fuller than before, but still a little pity. It seems that the busyness of worries, the sentiments of deprivation, the warmth of reunion... in the cities are disappearing, bringing with them the nostalgia of the generation that, for them, only childhood remains is nostalgia.
Specialty of Tet present Tet (Source: gettyimages.com)
In the midst of today's dynamic and modern life, it is strange that somewhere there is still nostalgia named "Old Saigon". In particular, stories about the old Tet are still attractive, not only to the elderly but also to the young. Saigonese who have experienced it will remember it forever. Enjoy the culture while enjoying the food. Although modern, it never loses its tradition, does not lose its connection, does not lose the attachment of family and friends in the first days of the year.
New Year's Eve altar (Taken by Bryant)
The national traditional Tet has great significance. Although currently, it cannot be denied that Tet has changed a lot. But its good values remain forever. Tet is always the most awaited festival of the year. Tet is an important occasion for Vietnamese people to remember their roots and ancestors.
Tet is an opportunity for families to reunite and reunite. Tet is an occasion for people to wish each other good things and ignore the bad luck of the old year. In the new year, people meet, wish each other good luck, increase the bond of love. Tet is still Tet, still carrying the hope, joy and meaning of Tet that never fades.
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