Tet Nguyen Dan: The Lunar New Year in Viet Nam

In Vietnam, Tet ushers in the New Year and is by far the biggest day on the national calendar. Tet rites begin a week before New Year’s Day, and the first three days of the New Year are official holidays, but the event visitors will really want to experience is New Year’s Eve. This is the one night that Tet becomes a boisterous celebration; the rest of the time it’s a fairly quiet family affair.

One week before the New Year, Tao Quan – the three Spirits of the Hearth, found in the kitchen of every home – are said to ascend to the heavens to report on the past year’s events to the Jade Emperor. Altars, laden with offerings, are assembled in preparation for the gods’ departure, in the hope of receiving a favourable report and ensuring good luck for the family in the coming year. People visit cemeteries and invite the spirits of dead relatives home for the celebrations. Absent family members return home so the whole family can celebrate Tet together.

A cay neu (New Year’s tree) is constructed to ward off evil spirits. Kumquat trees are popular throughout the country, while branches of pink dao (peach blossoms) grace houses in the north, and mai (yellow apricot blossoms) are popular in homes situated further south. For a spectacular sight, go to ÐL Nguyen Hue in Ho Chi Minh City, much of which is taken over by the annual Tet flower market. In Hanoi, the area around Pho Hang Dau and Pho Hang Ma is transformed into a massive peach-blossom and kumquat tree market.

On New Year’s Eve, prepare yourself for pandemonium. This night the Tao Quan return to earth, and at the stroke of midnight all problems from the previous year are left behind and mayhem ensues. The goal is to make as much noise as possible. Drums and percussion are popular, as were firecrackers until they were banned in 1995.

The events of New Year’s Day are crucial as it’s believed they affect the course of life in the year ahead. People take extra care not to be rude or show anger, and it’s vital that the first visitor of the year to each household is suitable. They’re usually male – best of all is a wealthy married man with several children. Foreigners are sometimes welcomed as the first to enter the house, although not always, so it’s unwise to visit any Vietnamese house on the first day of Tet, unless explicitly invited.

Essentials: memorise the phrase ‘chúc mùng nam mói’ – Happy New Year.

Local attractions: Out of Hanoi, visit the extraordinary rock formations of Halong Bay (or Ninh Binh, the so-called ‘Halong Bay in the rice paddies’), or grab a bike in Ho Chi Minh City and tour the Mekong Delta, one of the most faithfully flat lands on earth.

More info: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (www.vietnamtourism.com)

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The trip 2 days one night in Hoi An Vietnam

From the golden coast to the emerald mountains, we’ll wind our way through the photogenic river delta, capturing a glimpse of everyday rural Vietnamese lifestyles as we head close to the border with Laos. Our trail takes us through a number of Co Tu ethnic minority villages, highlighting the richness and variety of cultures found in the area.

Day 1:

Departing Hoi An, our first stops are at a 1000 year old Cham temple as well as former US and French bases from the independence wars.

We then wind our way into the mountains through tea plantations, home to the people of the Co Tu minority. We take a break to enjoy a stop at a tea plantation before a visit with one of the few remaining Co Tu woodcarvers and his family. We experience a home cooked lunch in their house before continuing our journey deep in to the mountains. This area is very isolated and the culture and traditions remain essentially untouched by time; making this remote and staggeringly beautiful region home to one of the most authentic hill tribes remaining in Vietnam.

Our final stop for the day is Bho Hoong, a traditional Co Tu village where we will stay for the night in stiled Co Tu huts. Little has changed in the past hundred years in Bho Hoong and it is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Central Vietnam. A light village walk, guided by a local resident, allows us to explore the village and unlock its cultural secrets. After our walk, we are free to enjoy a refreshing dip in the river. 

The evening is highlighted by a superb dinner of delicious Co Tu dishes, traditional music performances and a chance to interact with the villagers, gaining more insight into their rich culture. Larger groups (four or more) will be treated to bonfire and traditional dancing as well! Afterwards, retreat to your luxuriously outfitted accommodation where the serene setting and clear mountain air will lull you to sleep.

Day 2:

In the morning, wake up to the sounds of the village coming to life. Enjoy breakfast and a hot cup of coffee as you watch the morning activities of the Co Tu, heading out into the fields and preparing the days meals. Saying farewell to our Bho Hoong hosts, we head back out onto the winding mountain roads. Stopping at another Co Tu village, we enjoy the brocade weavers, a craft the Co Tu are famous for. Then we embark on the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail, through lush forests and past jaw-dropping views of the mountains of Central Vietnam. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any more beautiful we arrive at a waterfall tucked alongside a towering peak for a picnic lunch.

The afternoon sees us descending back down toward the coast, stopping along the way to explore historic sites and places of interest, before heading east to Hoi An.

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Some travel experience to visit Hoi An Viet Nam

You can catch a bus from the bus station of Da Nang to Hoi An. Every 30 minutes with 1 bus, starting from 5:00 or 6:00 am to 5:00 pm, bus to Hoi An, passing Marble Tourism Zone, so you can look at here, then the bus back to Hoi An continued,  Also you can rent a motorcycle and went along the coast to Hoi An (beautiful scenes).

Where to visit in Hoi An:

Cu Lao Cham Island and My Son Sanctuary is the most attractive place in Hoi An you should go, you should buy tours from travel company to go to save.

The other places to visit:

Covered Bridge - Buddhist temple without ...

Covered Bridge - the common name for a combination of small temple architecture mounted on the north side of the bridge in the ancient town of Hoi An (Hoi An city now), Quang Nam Province. Along with The Tile Phat Diem (Ninh Binh), Thanh Toan Tile Bridge (Thua Thien Hue), Covered Bridge in Hoi An is a 3 tile bridge in Vietnam, is known to many visitors.

The 18 m long bridge with seven wooden space, curved clear creeks flowing through the Huai River (a tributary of Thu Bon River) between two of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Tran Phu Hoi An City's. The bridge has soft curved shape, more beautiful motifs. The temples are wooden and lacquer meticulously carved. Face turned toward the river temple, pagoda roof tiles that cover yang bridge.

Phung Hung ancient house: 04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai - TP. Hoi An

Phung Hung ancient house which witnessed the birth of the eighth generation of the family Phung Hung. It was built on the last two hundred years and it is one of the most beautiful samples of this type of architecture in Hoi An. In 1985, this home has been ranked first in Vietnam as a model of traditional architecture with high cultural value. It is considered a model because it keeps intact the ancient architectural elements, thanks to the excellent quality of materials and the care of the whole family.

Tan Ky ancient house, at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.

Built over 200 years ago, Tan Ky ancient house in the city center of Hoi An (Quang Nam) tubular architectures characteristic of the ancient town has been recognized by UNESCO as world cultural heritage. To date the landlord retains the interior layout and the use of ancient objects from ancient times. Many evidences of prosperous trade era and the ancient cultural exchanges between the United nations - Japan - Vietnam is very popular in the later stages of the 17th century are still preserved. This is the first ancient houses the Ministry of Culture - Information issued by recognized "work culture" and two other relics in Hoi An in 1985.

Phuoc Kien Assembly hall - Hoi An

This is where worship, and assembly Money gentle fellow who Fujian. Go sightseeing, tourists will admire the unique architecture works splendid, exquisitely carved. Assembly Hall architecture fonts "Three" in the order: port - airport - lake - plants - two blocks east and west - the front - backyard - and power rear. The temple Thien Hau Thanh Mau, Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Shen, 3 and 12 pregnant women living God midwife. In the temple there are many statues, drums, copper bells, incense burners, large, horizontal 14 pictures and many other valuable artifacts.

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