Vietnamese Lunar New Year 2023

Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is the most significant and festive holiday in Vietnamese culture. It is a time to welcome a new year, to reunite with family and friends, and to honor ancestors. For Vietnamese people living in Texas, USA, Tet holds a special place in their hearts as they continue to maintain and preserve their cultural heritage.

Preparations for Tet begin weeks in advance. It is a time for families to deep clean their homes, as well as decorate them with traditional Tet flowers and ornaments such as apricot and peach blossoms, kumquat trees, and red banners with calligraphy written on them. Preparations also include shopping for new clothes and shoes, and stocking up on traditional Tet foods and fruits such as sticky rice cake (banh chung), cylindrical sticky rice cake (banh tet), pickled onions, candied fruits, and coconut candies.

During Tet, Vietnamese communities in Texas often come together to organize cultural events and festivals, which offer a range of activities for people to enjoy. These events may include performances of traditional Vietnamese music, lion and dragon dances, and martial arts demonstrations, as well as food and game booths. Tet festivals can provide a sense of community and connection for those who are far away from their homeland, and can also serve as a way for non-Vietnamese people to learn more about Vietnamese culture and customs.

One of the most important aspects of Tet is the reunion of family members. It is customary for people to return to their hometowns to celebrate Tet with their loved ones. In Texas, where many Vietnamese people live far away from their hometowns, families may instead gather at a relative's home, or rent out a hall to celebrate the holiday together. Families often prepare traditional Tet foods, such as sticky rice cakes, braised pork belly (thit kho), and Vietnamese ham (cha lua), and share a feast together.

Another important aspect of Tet is the practice of giving red envelopes filled with lucky money, known as li xi. These red envelopes are given to children and unmarried adults as a symbol of good luck and fortune for the upcoming year. Children, in particular, look forward to receiving

li xi during Tet, and will often dress in new clothes and perform traditional dances and songs in exchange for the envelopes.

Tet also offers an opportunity for Vietnamese people to honor their ancestors. Many families will visit their ancestral gravesites and offer food and flowers as a sign of respect and remembrance. In Vietnamese culture, it is believed that the spirits of ancestors are still present in the lives of their descendants, and so it is important to show gratitude and appreciation for their guidance and protection.

As with many traditional customs, Tet has evolved over time and adapted to the experiences of Vietnamese communities around the world. In Texas, for example, some Vietnamese people may choose to celebrate Tet in a more low-key way, by simply spending time with family and enjoying traditional foods. Others may choose to attend cultural events and festivals in their communities, or volunteer to help organize them.

Despite the changes that may occur over time, Tet remains a symbol of Vietnamese cultural identity and resilience. It is a time to honor traditions and to come together as a community, as well as a time to look forward to new beginnings and new opportunities. For Vietnamese people in Texas, Tet holds a special place in their hearts, as it allows them to celebrate their heritage, and to pass down their traditions and customs to future generations.