1. Tet
What is it?

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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