Tet, also known as the Lunar New Year, is the most significant and celebrated holiday in many Asian cultures. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for families to come together, pay respects to ancestors, and wish each other good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead.
During Tet, people often clean and decorate their homes with vibrant flowers and ornaments, with the most popular flower being the apricot blossom or the peach blossom. Traditional foods like banh chung (sticky rice cake) and banh tet (cylindrical glutinous rice cake) are prepared and shared among family members. Children receive red envelopes (li xi) containing money as a symbol of good luck.
The festive atmosphere during Tet is filled with dragon and lion dances, fireworks, and various cultural performances. It's a time when people wear new clothes and visit temples or pagodas to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Tet is not just a holiday; it's a time for reflection, renewal, and the strengthening of family bonds. It brings people together to celebrate their heritage and look forward to a promising year ahead.