L’approche du Tet*
There are several things to do during Tet in Saigon. It’s not a one-day holiday, it’s a season, similar to Christmas in form and Thanksgiving in spirit. The holiday is lunar-calendar based. It starts on the 23rd of the 12th month, the day to “cung dua ong Tao“, a ceremonious dinner to see off the Household God as he takes his annual trip to heaven. It ends on the 7th day of the 1st month of the new lunar year. In the first week, there are spring flower markets on Nguyen Hue Street and water melon markets in Dakao. Water melon used to be available during Tet only, and there used to be only one kind – the green outside, red inside kind. Now there are yellow, striped, even cubic watermelon! There’s the sound of the gongs and the drums of mua lan (lion dance) in the neighborhood. There are thousands of crimson red Chinese sausages packaged, displayed not so far from deep green banh chung and banh tet. Hmm… it just crossed my mind that the main colors of Tet are also red and green, like Christmas… There is orange from the kumquats, shiny gold from the newly polished copper censers, and yellow from the flowers. Chrysanthemums for small vases on the altars and mai for display in the living room or the garden. My mom used to say, when she took off the leaves of the mai tree (to make room for its new leaves and blossoms), she could feel Tet is coming in the air. For big families with the tradition of making their own banh chung banh tet, Tet comes when they sit around the huge pot of cooking banh, warmed by the fire, chatting the hours away. After giao thua (Tet’s eve), the second week of the holiday starts. It’s the first week of the new spring and the new lunar year. It’s time to go to the pagodas, to be nice with others, to relax and enjoy oneself. That’s why “thang gieng la thang an choi” (the 1st month is the month of fun).
Do I have a month of fun to celebrate Tet now? Hehe, certainly not. I did have over a month of fun and total laziness for Christmas break, however, thanks to Texas A&M’s generosity. But school started last Tuesday; and this Monday, in all splendor of the first day of the new lunar year, the most important day of Tet, I will haul my backpack on the shoulder and go to class from 10 till 5:30. Good start. I will be hardworking and learn a lot the whole year. The Vietnamese living overseas have at most a Tet party on the weekend or the night before. A Vietnamese physics hermit spends giao thua alone with research and movies. But above all reasons Tet is the time to be with family. My family is here, so my Tet is here. 🙂
*The blog title is inspired by Lê Phố’s painting under the same name.
**The painting is Fleurs by Lê Phố, 1960, oil on canvas. Since I couldn’t find a free image of L’approche du Tet online, I thought Fleurs would be an appropriate substitution.
This is really attention-grabbing, You’re a very skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and stay up for seeking more of your fantastic post. Additionally, I have shared your website in my social networks!
1I really enjoy looking at on this website, it has got wonderful articles. “A short saying oft contains much wisdom.” by Sophocles.
2I’m still learning from you, while I’m improving myself. I absolutely enjoy reading everything that is written on your website.Keep the tips coming. I enjoyed it!
3I like this post, enjoyed this one appreciate it for posting.
4Thanks so much for posting such valuable content. I really like your web page. Thanks again for allowing me to comment on your article. I hope more useful content from you in the coming days.
5Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
6I am constantly thought about this, regards for posting.
7I have recently started a website, the information you offer on this website has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
8Having read this I thought it was very informative. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself spending way to much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
9Many thanks for providing this valuable content. I love your site. Many thanks for providing a space for me to comment on your article. I would love to see more engaging articles from you in the coming days.
10Superb post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Cheers!
11Would love to always get updated great web blog! .
12This is very interesting, You are a very professional blogger. I have joined your rss feed and sit up for seeking extra of your magnificent post. Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks!
13As soon as I observed this internet site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
14I like this site very much so much wonderful info .
15