Tet is a national and family festival. It is an occasion for every Vietnamese to have a good time while thinking about the last year and the next year. At Tet, spring fairs are organized, streets and public buildings are brightly decorated and almost all shops are crowded with people shopping for Tet. At home, every is tidied, special food is cooked, offerings of food, fresh water, flowers, and betel are made on the family altar with burning joss- sticks scenting the air. First-footing is made when the lucky visitor comes and children are given lucky money wrapped in a red tiny envelope. Tet is also a time for peace and love. During Tet, children often behave well and friends, relatives, and neighbors give each other best wishes for the new year.
Among several cultural festivals in my hometown, Huong Pagoda Festival is one of the greatest Buddhist festivals in Vietnam. Located in Huong Son Site, Hanoi, the festival starts from the 6th day of the first Lunar month and lasts for three months from the first to the third month. The Huong Pagoda Festival is divided into two parts: The ceremonies and the entertaining activities. The ceremony involves two monks performing beautiful dances. After that people will join entertaining activities, which includes enjoying boat cruises along Yen Stream, climbing mountains and exploring caves. It is also believed that climbing up the top of Huong Tich Mountain will bring you great success in life. The basic aim of tourists when coming to the festival mostly is to visit the wonderful view of Huong Pagoda and pray for themselves and their family. The place is always full of people when it comes to this time of year.
