Tet What is it?

Tet Tet Nguyen Dan abbreviated is “Tet” (the Vietnamese new year) Tet literally means “the first morning of the first day of the new period” Marks the beginning of the new year on the lunar calendar Falls sometime between the last ten days of January and the middle of February Tet is officially celebrated for three days, but often is celebrated for seven days

Tet Continued People are on their best behavior during Tet One wants to be debt free & resolve differences among family/friends Parents buy children new clothes Houses are cleaned and painted before the holiday (never during the holiday) to get rid of bad fortune related to the old year

Tet Continued At midnight, firecrackers would be lit (though now they are illegal in Vietnam) The first guest to enter the house on Tet is very important, and predicts the fortune for the coming year The atmosphere is very festive

Tet Continued Yellow blossoms of the hoa mai decorate the home; this symbolizes prosperity and well-being for the family Extended family celebrates together Deceased (dead) relatives are also remembered Special altars are decorated for the holiday

Tet Continued Children vow to be good They are given money in red envelopes called lixi Tet is also everyone’s birthday; a baby turns one on Tet no matter when they were born Special foods are prepared One belief is that when a watermelon is cut open, the redder it is, the better luck the family will have for the year

Tet Continued Large populations celebrate Tet in U.S. In Orange County, children do not attend school Ladies wear the colors of the Vietnamese flag; men wear black There are celebrations in the streets