Welcome TET with Old Time Traditions
by Linh Thai

The sound of red firecrackers crackling in the midnight sky, the roll of beating drums in the crowded streets, and the sight of twisting Lions' tails as it performs the traditional lion dance marks Giao Thu*`a, the hour of Lunar New Year day - TET. At midnight, the new lunar New Year officially begins and the grand celebration commences. Yet, the hustle and bustle of this festive holiday celebration actually begins weeks in advance as families save up money to l� x� (give money gifts in lucky bright red envelopes) their children, cook holiday meals and foods (superstition declares that there shall be no cooking during the first three days of TET), and plan family reunions.

Yes, TET is the busiest time of the year for all Vietnamese families. Whether we are still living in Vietnam or living abroad thousands of miles away from birth county, TET is still remembered, observed, and celebrated in all of its essence and glory. What makes TET such an important and festive holiday is what it represents. TET symbolizes hope, family, love, harmony and peace.

THE MEANING OF TET

TET is a celebration of a new beginning. It is the start of the new lunar calendar year. On "Giao Thu*`a" - TET's eve, families gather in temples to pray. Whatever religion one may follow, the underlying purpose of the prayers on that day is to wash away past mistakes, to seek future guidance from the heavens, and to hope for a better and prosperous year to come. TET is a chance for people to start anew, to forgive old enemies and animosities, to come together in love and harmony, and to look forward to a New Year with hope, luck and happiness.

TET is also a celebration of a new chapter in life. On TET, individuals young and old "mung tuoi" (offer well wishes - similar to Western new year's tradition) to one another because Vietnamese tradition believes that as a person grow older, he/she will become wiser and better than the year before. On TET, it is everyone's birthday. Vietnamese traditionally offer wishes of happiness, prosperity, and longevity to all their family members, friends, and acquaintances.

TET is a time for family. A couple of weeks prior to this special holiday, members of each family gather from where ever they are to celebrate TET under one roof. Families shop or sew new clothes to celebrate TET, the new beginning. On the eve of TET, family members gather to steam or cook rice cakes and other TET's food. This is an opportunity for everyone to tell each other his/her hopes, dreams and goals for the coming year. On TET day, everyone dresses up in his/her best and newest clothes. Children line up to mung tuoi their grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and older brothers/sisters. And in exchange these adults l� x� the children in addition to wishing them good grades and happiness.

Families then prepare huge feasts including many traditional TET food such as "bánh chu*ng" (steamed square sticky rice cake filled with mung beans and port strips wrapped in green banana leaves), "banh day" (round rice cake filled with mung beans), pork stewed in coconut milk served with pickled bean sprouts, and sweet deserts, called "muc." Throughout the three remaining TET days, family members and neighbors gather to play traditional games such as blackjacks, poker, Chinese checkers, and "ba^`u cua" (pictorial crab game) to test their new year's luck and spend their lucky money. As in all cultures, each family has its own uniqueness and tradition to celebrate TET. But what holds true for all Vietnamese is that TET is a time for forgiving and sharing with one's family and friends.

TET is a celebration of love. On TET, Vietnamese celebrate our love and respect for our ancestors, fallen heroes/heroines, family members, and friends. We set up altars for ancestors who have passed away. Most families offer food and burn incense on these altars to pay respect to the deceased loved ones and to invite them back to celebrate this joyous event with their families. On TET, we also celebrate our love and respect for our native land. Vietnam is the land where many of us were born, the land where our ancestors, grandparents and parents have lived and died to create and to protect, and the land where Vietnamese everywhere called "home." Wherever we may be and whatever we may identify ourselves, we are first and foremost Vietnamese. When we celebrate TET, we are celebrating our history, our roots, and our love and pride for our rich and proud heritage. All that we do on TET: Celebrating, praying, family reunions, giving, cooking, and cleaning, all constitute Vietnamese culture and traditions. Among these traditions are rituals that we follow in the belief that they will bring us a healthy and prosperous New Year.

THE RITUALS OF TET

The celebration of TET is customarily filled with ancient superstitions and rituals. For example, it is widely believed that how we celebrate TET will foreshadow how our whole year will become. Consequently, everyone tries to be in his/her best and most congenial mood and happiest spirit to avoid any sadness or heartache in the days of TET. We try to settle all debts and forget all insults before TET, or the following year will bring more debts and anguishes to us and loved ones. Finally, we clean our homes from top to bottom and sweep our floors (I guess vacuuming here!) until they are dirt-free; otherwise, the bad luck still trapped in the dirt and grime or the old year will continue to haunt the new year. Generally, we try our best to do away with all the negative emotions and bad luck so we can start a New Year on the right foot, anew and untainted.

In addition, on TET's eve, Vietnamese go to Buddhist pagodas and churches in their best clothes; women and girls in a whole array of brightly colored "a'o da`i" - long dress and men in their best slacks and chemises. We pray for a new year of luck, happiness, and health. Then, at midnight, firecrackers explode and the lion dances; this ritual chases away old evil spirits and welcomes the spring of the New Year.

Thus, let's celebrate every TET with a joyful spirit. Let's spread love, compassion, tolerance, generosity and happiness to all of our fellow men and women; not just on the days of TET, but all year round. Let the spirit of TET live on and let its traditions endure through time. Let's engage ourselves actively in the community we live, work and raise our children in because this is our second homeland. For as long as we remember and celebrate this joyous season, no matter how far we are from the schoolhouses of our childhood, from the rice fields and marketplaces, and from the comfort of our homeland, the Vietnamese heritage will continue to live on in the hearts and souls of millions of Vietnamese overseas for generations to come.