Tet holiday

Tet holiday is the most important traditional holiday in Vietnam, celebrated by Vietnamese people around the world, including those in United States, Australia, and Canada. It is a time for family reunions, food, and festivities, often marked by visits to temples, such as Temple of Literature, Hanoi, and pagodas, like One Pillar Pagoda. The holiday has a significant impact on the culture of Vietnam, with influences from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, as seen in the works of Nguyen Du and Ho Chi Minh. As a significant event, it is also celebrated by overseas Vietnamese in Paris, Tokyo, and Seoul.

Introduction

The Tet holiday, also known as Tết Nguyên Đán, is a celebration of the Lunar New Year, which falls on the same day as the Chinese New Year and Korean New Year. It is a time of great joy and celebration, marked by parades, fireworks, and traditional music, such as Ca Tru and Quan Ho. The holiday is also a time for family gatherings, with many people returning to their hometowns, like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to visit with relatives and friends, including notable figures like Le Duc Tho and Vo Nguyen Giap. As a significant cultural event, it is recognized by organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Asian Development Bank.

History

The Tet holiday has a long and rich history, dating back to the Ly Dynasty in the 10th century, with influences from the Tang Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. It was originally a celebration of the agricultural cycle, marking the beginning of the new year and the start of the spring season, as described in the works of Nguyen Trai and Tran Hung Dao. Over time, the holiday has evolved to incorporate elements of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, as seen in the poetry of Xuan Dieu and the art of Nguyen Gia Tri. The holiday has also been influenced by the French colonial period and the Vietnam War, with notable events like the Tet Offensive and the Battle of Hue.

Celebrations

The Tet holiday is celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement, with parades, fireworks, and traditional music filling the streets of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other cities, like Da Nang and Hue. People often wear new clothing and exchange gifts, such as money and fruit, with family and friends, including notable figures like Le Quy Don and Phan Boi Chau. The holiday is also a time for traditional foods, such as banh chung and banh tet, which are often served at family gatherings and parties, hosted by organizations like the Vietnamese Red Cross and the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.

Traditions

The Tet holiday is filled with many traditions and customs, such as the worship of ancestors and the visitation of temples and pagodas, like the Temple of the Jade Mountain and the Pagoda of the Celestial Lady. People often clean their homes and decorate them with flowers and ornaments, like the Vietnamese New Year's tree, and prepare special foods and drinks, such as tea and coffee, as described in the works of Nguyen Cong Hoan and Vu Trong Phung. The holiday is also a time for games and entertainment, such as card games and lion dances, performed by troupes like the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet.

Regional_variations

The Tet holiday is celebrated differently in various regions of Vietnam, with unique traditions and customs in each area, like the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta. In the north, the holiday is often marked by cold weather and snow, while in the south, it is typically warm and sunny, as described in the works of Nguyen Du and Ho Chi Minh. The holiday is also celebrated by overseas Vietnamese in countries around the world, including United States, Australia, and Canada, with events like the Tet Festival in San Jose and the Vietnamese New Year's Parade in Toronto.

Date_determination

The date of the Tet holiday is determined by the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon, as calculated by astronomers like Nguyen Xuan Nguyen and Le Quy Don. The holiday typically falls in late January or early February, and is celebrated for several days, with the first day of the new year being the most important, as recognized by institutions like the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology and the National University of Vietnam. The date of the holiday is also influenced by the astronomical events, such as the full moon and the new moon, as described in the works of Nguyen Trai and Tran Hung Dao.